Narayangarh, June 11:

The government has initiated a probe into the murder of businessman Ramhari Shrestha. A resident of Koteshwor, Shrestha was murdered in the third division cantonment of

the CPN (Maoist) in Shaktikhor, Chitwan.

A panel led by government under-secretary Umesh Koirala initiated the murder probe today after setting up an office at the office of the District Development Committee, Bharatpur.

Koirala said the team visited Dahakhani VDC-6 Bhaludhunga, where the body of Shrestha was reportedly disposed after the murder, and Jugedi on the bank of the Trishuli river, from where the body was recovered. The team also enquired about the murder with physicians at the Bharatpur-based Medical Teaching College, said Koirala. Shrestha was abducted from Koteshwor and brought to the PLA third division in Shaktikhor. The businessman passed out after he was allegedly beaten up by personnel of the Maoist army Govinda Bahadur Batala, Keshav Adhikari and Ganga Ram Thapa. He was admitted to the Bharatpur Medical College on May 7 and died the next day. His body was recovered from Jugedi on May 25.

Meanwhile, the government, on Monday, filed a lawsuit at the Chitwan district court against the Maoists’ third division and the hearing began yesterday. Govinda Batala has been in police custody for interrogation. Two others charged with murder, Keshav and Ganga Ram, have been absconding. Following the incident, the Maoists expelled third division commander Kali Bahadur Kham Magar.