Former Maoist fighter confesses to murder of Jagadish Kaini at Durga temple in Attariya

Dhangadhi: Jagadish Kaini, a 35-year-old man who had been living on the roadside in the Attariya area of Kailali, was found dead on Chaitra 10 in the premises of the Durga Temple at Godavari Municipality-1.

Originally from Amargadhi Municipality-7 in Dadeldhura, Kaini had reportedly been living on the streets in the Attariya area for several years, often seen staying overnight at the Durga Temple. According to police investigations, Kaini was brutally murdered while he was asleep at the temple—his head struck with a stone—and his body was later dragged and left behind the temple premises.

Three individuals, also roadside dwellers like Kaini, have been taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in the murder. Among them are two men and a woman. Police have confirmed that the physically disabled man and woman in custody are former Maoist fighters and identify as husband and wife.

CCTV footage collected by police shows the former Maoist fighter entering the temple on the night of the murder and exiting a short time later. In a statement to police, he confessed to killing Kaini. “He used to tease my wife, insult me for being disabled, and steal money. That is why I killed him by hitting him with a stone,” the suspect stated. He further admitted to dragging Kaini’s body behind the temple following the murder and claimed to have acted alone.

Kavindra Bohora, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Kailali, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that multiple people have been detained for questioning. However, he noted that the probe is still incomplete. Police recovered blood-stained clothing belonging to the accused, as well as the stone believed to have been used in the attack.

Given the suspect’s physical disability and the brutality of the crime, authorities are skeptical that the murder could have been carried out by one person alone. Investigators are continuing to collect evidence and analyze the case with support from the Area Police Office, Malakheti; District Police Office, Kailali; Provincial Police Office; and Nepal Police Provincial Office, Mahendranagar.