Kailali district court sentences 13 to life imprisonment in Bhupendra Baduwal murder case, 7 acquitted

Dhangadhi: The Kailali District Court today delivered its verdict in the high-profile murder case of 23-year-old Bhupendra Baduwal of Lamkichuha Municipality-1. Thirteen defendants have been sentenced to life imprisonment, while seven others have been fully acquitted.

A single bench of District Judge Gokul Niraula handed life sentences to the main accused Naveen Rawal along with six others, including Aryan Devkota, Roshan Bahadur Shahi, Chiranjivi Jang Shahi alias Anuj, Rohit Ale, and Himal Shahi, under Section 41 of the Criminal Code, 2074 BS, according to court Information Officer Pankaj Upadhyay.

Additionally, Madan Shahi, Hemant Shahi, Dipendra Shahi alias Dhiraj, Nishant Malla alias Golu, and Shohan Shah received life sentences under Section 177 (1) of the Criminal Code, 2074 BS. Lokendra Kunwar and Sabin Jung Shahi were also sentenced to life imprisonment as per the charges.

Seven individuals—Ashok Rawal, Mahesh Rawal, Jayendra Shah, Bikash Khadka, Prabin Rimal, Bikash Serchan Thakali, and Kapil Shrestha—were acquitted entirely. The case of Lok Jung Shahi, who has been absconding since the beginning, has been postponed under Section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 2074 BS.

The court has ordered the 13 convicted individuals to jointly pay Rs. 1.5 million in damages to the victim’s family and a victim relief amount of Rs. 2,800 per person as mandated by law.

Bhupendra Baduwal was murdered on 23 Kartik 2078 in Tikapur Municipality-1. Following the incident, the District Attorney's Office had filed a manslaughter case on 26 Falgun 2078 against 21 individuals, including Naveen Rawal.