Second suspect arrested in Budhanilakantha murder case

Kathmandu, September 6

Police have apprehended a man for allegedly abetting Sudama Lamichhane in killing Parbati Dhakal at Tauling in Budhanilakantha and making off with her gold ornaments on July 27.

A team of Metropolitan Police Crime Division nabbed Nishant Rasaili, 20, of Panchkhal-12, Kavre, from his home district today.

Despite police’s success in arresting Lamichhane, 30, of Kakani-2, Nuwakot, some three weeks after the murder of the 55-year-old woman, Rasaili had been absconding and investigating officers had launched a manhunt to nab him.

Though Lamichhane was employed by Dhakal as a housekeeper in April, he worked there just for a week. Dhakal treated him as her own son. Two months after quitting the house, Lamichhane had approached Dhakal and asked her for some money to acquire passport for foreign employment. As she said she did not have a penny to give him, Lamichhane, along with Rasaili, hatched a plot to rob her house.

According to MPCD, Lamichhane and Rasaili came were acquainted with each other only four months back. The two reached Dhakal’s house at around 12:30pm on July 27. She was alone in the house as her daughter was in office and grandson in school. Dhakal let Lamichhane in while Rasaili stood outside the house as per their plan.

Lamichhane found himself in an opportune time to execute the plot, picked up a hammer from the kitchen and hit her

on the head multiple times before calling Rasaili in. Rasaili also hit the already collapsed woman with the hammer and assisted Lamichhane in killing her and making off with gold ornaments weighing 28 tolas, MPCD said.

Rasaili got four items of gold ornaments for helping Lamichhane execute the murder plot. Meanwhile, police said Sushma Pariyar, 20, of Nuwakot was arrested for keeping the ornaments received by Rasaili.