SURUNGA, JHAPA: The nine-year-old Ganga Dahal, the daughter of Hem Kumar Dahal of Damak Municipality-2, was murdered by neighbour Laxmi Prasad Adhikari (43), police revealed amid a press conference held on Friday.

Adhikari has confessed hacking the minor to death inside her home with an axe after Ganga saw him trying to rape her elder sister, police said.

The police also uncovered Rs 85,000 cash that was wrapped in a plastic bag and buried near Dahal's residence, yesterday. The Dahal family had been accusing Adhikari of stealing Rs 100,000 more than a month ago.

The recovery of Rs 85,000 in the backdrop of the allegation has made the case more suspicious, added police.

"We are still investigating why the girl was murdered," said Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajan Limbu adding "We have extended the custody of Adhikari for investigation in case of murder and rape."

The girl's body was found on Wednesday with injuries on her face, head and chest. She was a Grade-2 student at the local Himalayan Secondary School.

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