Baitadi Man’s Family Alleges Police Failure to Investigate Death, Demands Justice

Dhangadhi: The family of Mahadev Vad, a resident of Babet, Dasharathchand Municipality-4, Baitadi, who was found dead in his room during the elections last Falgun, has alleged that police failed to conduct an effective investigation into his death.

The family said they had yet to receive justice even eight months after the incident and demanded that the investigation proceed against the individuals they had specifically named.

Mahadev’s father, Lakshiram Vad, maintains that his son did not die by suicide but was murdered. He alleges that a relative killed his son. According to the family, Mahadev was home from his duty as an election security officer when the incident occurred. He was found hanging in his room while no other family members were present.

Lakshiram alleged that the District Police Office in Baitadi failed to question suspicious individuals or take steps to bring those suspected of involvement to justice. He also complained that the family did not receive the expected cooperation or empathy from police when they reported the incident.

“We visited numerous places seeking the truth about our son’s death and hoping for justice. When no concrete steps were taken at the district level, we even went to Kathmandu to plead for justice,” Lakshiram said. “However, we have yet to receive a satisfactory response.”

He also said that rather than taking action against those suspected of involvement in his son’s death, the family had faced threats and pressure.

Chandan Wad, Mahadev’s brother, has called for an impartial investigation into the incident. He alleged that instead of questioning the individuals the family suspected to uncover the truth, police took him to the station and subjected him to mental and physical torture. He further claimed that other family members had also been subjected to torture.

Chandan said that despite the considerable time that had passed, no investigation had proceeded against the individuals specifically named in the family’s complaint. He said the family had approached local authorities, security agencies, and the secretariat of MP Khagendra Sunar in their pursuit of justice. However, the family said they had yet to experience any sense of justice.

Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Ray of the District Police Office, Baitadi, said the necessary investigation into the incident was underway. He added that legal proceedings had been initiated based on the complaint filed by the Wad family.