Jhapa, September 11

Thirty-eight-year-old garment trader Khemraj Poudel of Mangalbare, Kamal Rural Municipality, was murdered last night.

Poudel was running a textile business in Damak, Jhapa.

Poudel, who went to Gaurigunj to receive payment for garment, was abducted on last evening.

According to Inspector Tekendra Poudel at Area Police Office Gaurigunj, Poudel’s body was found in the sewerage near Binod Yadav’s home of Barhadashi at Gaurigunj Rural Municipality  today. Police said that Poudel had been stabbed on his throat and head. Police have recovered Poudel’s motorbike, mobile phone and bag from the incident site.

Police have arrested Saddam Husein of Gaurigunj suspecting his involvement in the incident. According to police, Poudel had reached Gaurigunj to receive payment for garment given to other traders at 6:00pm. His wife Dipa Bhattarai was riding pillion on his bike.

Dipa told police that a man came and asked her husband to go with him alone. Dipa had reported to the police at 9:00pm when her husband did not return. He had left on the bike with Saddam riding pillion. According to Dipa, Poudel had to take Rs 90,000 from Saddam.

Police arrested Saddam from his home and launched the search operation for Poudel throughout the night. The body was found today morning.

Saddam denied killing Poudel. He told the police that he rode Pillion on Poudel’s bike and Poudel’s wife did not recognise him. He told the police that he had financial transaction with Poudel but he had not called Poudel to take the money.

DSP Jitendra Basnet said facts would come out after investigation. Poudel’s body has been taken to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan for post-mortem.