Kathmandu, October 24
It has been revealed that singer Neetu Paudel and musician Babul Giri (Dhan Bahadur) had been in a romantic relationship for nearly seven years. Neetu who had attempted self-immolation a few days ago at a studio in Anamnagar, died on Friday during treatment.
Neetu ran the Durbina Cafe located beneath Babul’s studio, Anamnagar. Alongside running her tea shop, she was also pursuing her musical career. Their relationship was widely known in the music industry.
In the beginning, Babul was reportedly infatuated with Neetu. According to close sources, he was deeply in love with her and used to follow her around. After some time, their mutual affection grew, and Neetu also fell in love with Babul.
Neetu and Babul, who had been living close to the Anamnagar Community Police Office, shared a very close bond. Sources said Babul often stayed at or visited Neetu’s room, and the two collaborated musically. Although not very famous, Neetu had been pursuing her musical career for over a decade, maintaining a low profile. “She was a hardworking and talented singer,” said a source.
However, disagreements regarding marriage had started between the two in recent years. Neetu, who was deeply in love with Babul, received marriage proposals from men living in the US and Australia through her family, but she refused, insisting that she would only marry Babul.
As Neetu approached the age of 30, her family began pressuring her to get married, and she in turn urged Babul to marry her soon. According to sources, Babul had been postponing marriage for the past seven to eight months, and their disputes over the issue had intensified over the last six months.
Sources said that as their quarrels over marriage became a daily occurrence, Babul eventually told Neetu that he would not marry her. “In the following months, Neetu showed signs of depression. She became withdrawn and often appeared lost,” a source said. “We never imagined she would attempt self-immolation.”
It appears that constant arguments about marriage caused by Neetu’s insistence and Babul’s reluctance led to the conflict. Babul is a well-known contemporary music composer and playback singer. Singer Paudel passed away on Friday after a week of treatment.
Doctors at Kirtipur-based Burn Hospital declared her dead at around 8:30 am on Friday. It is reported that on October 18, she had gone to the studio, poured petrol on herself, and attempted self-immolation.
Following Neetu Paudel’s death, her brother Ganesh Paudel filed a police complaint against Babul Giri at the Singha Durbar Police Circle, accusing him of abetting suicide.
