Various human rights groups have condemned the killing of Bhuwan Kharel, owner of Dakshinkali Lodge at Bagbazar in the capital, Kathmandu, by Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of the Crime Investigation Department in Kathmandu, Bidhan Chandra Shah, and have demanded punishment against the person involved in the incident.
ASI Shah shot and killed Kharel on Friday at around 12:00 p.m. inside Kharel’s lodge in Bagbazaar after a brief scuffle. Kharel received two bullets in his stomach, according to reports.
After initial investigation into the incident, various human rights groups including Himrights, Centre for Victim of Torture (CVICT), Human Rights Foundation of Nepal (HURFON) and Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) said that Shah was the culprit in the incident. According to their reports, Shah had been threatening Kharel for a long time demanding heavy amount.
On Friday, Shah had been at the lodge since 6 p.m. and was heavily drunk.
The Police Headquarters and the District Police Office (DPO), Kathmandu, are yet to disclose the details of the incident, saying that they were, however, looking into the matter. A senior police official at the DPO said “this is a minor case” and added that he had no authority to give the details of the incident. The DPO is yet to form an investigation team, he informed.
Police are handing over the body of the victim to his family this evening after post-mortem at the TU teaching hospital.
Kharel was a permanent resident of Chitwan. He was displaced from the village due to Maoist threats since 2000, it is learnt.