Kathmandu, August 21
A student was killed after a dispute at Valley Boys Hostel in Shankhamul, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-10, turned violent on Friday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Basanta Kalathoki, a resident of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-17, Dang, who was staying at the hostel.
According to police, a group of youths attacked Kalathoki inside the hostel, using hostel furniture and a sharp weapon. The incident briefly turned the student hostel into a scene of violence.
Police from the New Baneshwor Police Circle reached the hostel after receiving information about the incident. Kalathoki, who had sustained serious injuries, was taken to Civil Hospital for treatment.
Doctors declared him dead at around 12:15 pm, according to Kathmandu District Police Range spokesperson SP Dan Bahadur Thapa.
“He was rescued and taken to the hospital. We were informed that he was declared dead at around 12:15 pm,” Thapa said.
Police said Kalathoki had injuries to his head and neck caused by a sharp weapon. They suspect he died as a result of a physical assault and sharp-weapon attack. The exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem examination.
Six initially detained
Police initially detained six people from the hostel as part of their investigation.
Among them, 18-year-old Shekhar Yadav of Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City-3, Bara, has been found to have been directly involved in the attack, according to police.
The identities of the other five detainees have not been made public. Police said they were detained for questioning as investigators tried to establish their involvement in the incident.
“We initially detained six people and investigated them. One of them, Yadav, appears to have been directly involved in the killing. Nothing has been established against the others so far,” Thapa said.
Police said those against whom no suspicious activity is found will be released after questioning.
Another suspect allegedly involved in the killing was arrested in Makwanpur while attempting to flee.
Pramit Patel, a resident of Kalaiya, was arrested from Bhaisey in Makwanpur with the coordination of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office and Makwanpur police.
SSP Santosh Kumar Khadka of the Crime Investigation Office said Patel was being brought to Kathmandu.
“We arrested him in Makwanpur and are bringing him to Kathmandu,” Khadka said.
According to police sources, Patel was attempting to travel through Makwanpur towards Bara before crossing into India. Police intercepted and arrested him before he could leave the area.
Police are preparing to seek remand against Yadav and Patel on charges of murder and continue their investigation.
Murder weapon yet to be recovered
Although police suspect that a sharp weapon was used in the attack, the weapon itself has not yet been recovered.
Kalathoki had multiple injuries across his body and was reportedly unable to speak when he was taken to hospital.
“His injuries indicate that he died after being attacked with a sharp weapon. The weapon may have been hidden after the attack. We have not recovered it yet,” an investigating officer said.
Police are continuing their search for the weapon and gathering evidence from the hostel.
Police suspect dispute among friends
The preliminary investigation suggests that the killing followed a dispute among people who knew each other.
Police have not found evidence of an old personal rivalry between the victim and the suspects.
“We have not found an old enmity. It appears to have happened during an ordinary dispute between friends,” an investigating officer involved in the probe said.
According to police, the dispute escalated and the suspects attacked Kalathoki in a fit of anger.
However, investigators are yet to question all the suspects, including Patel, who was arrested in Makwanpur. Police say the exact motive behind the killing will become clearer after further questioning and investigation.
The incident has also raised concerns among police over the management and monitoring of hostels in the New Baneshwor, Buddhanagar and Shankhamul areas.
Police say they have increasingly received information about marijuana use and other suspicious activities in some hostels in the area.
Officers say incidents of noise, disputes and drug use have been reported from some hostels. Police have conducted searches from time to time, recovering marijuana and detaining some hostel residents.
According to police officials, inadequate monitoring by hostel wardens and the lack of proper supervision of young residents can contribute to students becoming involved in substance use and other risky activities.
Police suspect that disputes over drug use may also have contributed to conflicts in some hostels.
The latest incident has prompted renewed calls for better supervision and management of student hostels in the area.
