Nepalgunj, August 24

Notorious Don Rigaj Dhakal, who had been on the run ever since he was sued for a murder case, presented himself at the District Court today.

Dhakal is a resident of Ganeshpur in Nepalgunj Municipality and Chairperson of Nepali Congress-aligned Tarun Dal Banke Area No 3. He had been absconding after the district police here filed a case against him, accusing him as the main person involved in the murder of Chetan Manandhar of Nepalgunj about a month ago.

After recording his statement, Dhakal was sent to detention in Nepalgunj prison today.

According to court registrar Dandapani Lamichhane, a single bench of district judge Bishnu Prasad Koirala passed the order.

As per sources, Dhakal had surrendered to the police at the advice of his family, in view of his possible encounter by the police. Dhakal reached the court at about 10:30am today with his face covered and a lawyer. Police had been unable to nab him despite extensive efforts.

With his appearance at the court, the kin of deceased Manandhar had reached there and demanded stern action against the murderer.

Dhakal had attacked 28-year-old Manandhar with a sharp weapon and killed him near Dhambojhi Chowk of Nepalgunj in broad daylight on July 13.

Chetan was the town member of Youth Association, an organisation affiliated to CPN-UML. All of the 11 accomplices who were charged in the case have been sent to detention.