Biratnagar, March 10

Police arrested a leader of Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Morang after he was accused of murdering and throwing the body of a woman in the Koshi River on March 1.

Police said Yogendra Gurung was arrested from Ilam yesterday after he was accused of killing Ramila Rai, 26, of Belbari Municipality and throwing her body into the Koshi River. SP Monaj KC in District Police Office, Morang, said police started an investigation after Gurung explained to the police that he had a love affair with Rai for few months and killed her following a personal dispute.

SP KC said police were sent to search for the woman’s body as per Gurung’s explanation. Rai had been staying at her mother’s house after divorcing her husband. SP KC said police were deployed to the girl’s house to investigate after the rumour that Rai had gone missing spread.

Gurung fled to Ilam as he suspected the investigation was centred around him. Police suspected that the accused might have thrown the body  into the river to hide the crime. According to Rai’s family source, Gurung had taken Rai and her friend along with another boy to a dance bar from Rai’s maternal house the same night. They added they had started searching for her after she did not return. Gurung claimed he had left Rai at her house at 11:00pm that night.

Police had also started investigation as per the CCTV footage after Gurung’s vehicle turned towards the East from Itahari at 12:00pm. Gurung was former chairman of the then CPN-UML, Belbari.