KATHMANDU, AUGUST 3
Police have apprehended two individuals accused of fatally shooting a youth in the course of a robbery from Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City of Sunsari. Police also managed to seize an illegal firearm and bullets among others from the possession of the suspects.
The victim, 28-year-old Rohit Chaudhary of Kochakhal in Biratnagar Metropolitan City-5, lost his life during a botched robbery attempt on July 21.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Dipak Timilsina (35) of Letang Municipality-1 in Morang and Ansan Rai (34) of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City-10 in Sunsari.
Chaudhary, accompanied by Sumana Khatri of Biratnagar Metropolitan City-3 as the pillion rider, was riding the motorcycle (Ko 32 Pa 1796) towards Itahari from Dharan on that ill-fated evening of July 21. They were stopped at Seuti Bridge by a group which included Timilsina and Rai in an attempted robbery. Armed with a pistol and a khukuri, the assailants confronted Chaudhary, who courageously resisted their advances. In a tragic turn, the robbers responded by opening fire on Chaudhary before fleeing the scene.
Chaudhary was immediately rushed to Dharan's BP Koirala Health Science Institute, where he succumbed to his injuries during the course of treatment.
In the course of investigating the shooting incident, a joint team of police deployed from Koshi Provincial Police Officece, Biratnagar, Nepal Police Provincial Office, Dharan, District Police Office, Sunsari and Area Police Office, Itahari arrested the duo from Putali Line in Dharan. Alongside the arrests, the police seized an automatic Chinese pistol, nine rounds of bullets, two bullet magazines, a khukuri, a ring, and a bullet casing from their possession.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the two suspects are allegedly involved in a series of robberies that occurred on June 23, July 8, and July 16. Timilsina, one of the arrestees, was reportedly released from a 10-year prison sentence for rape just two months ago. Similarly, Rai had previously served a 6-month prison sentence for an illegal drug case, and he was released two years ago. Both individuals were found to be drug abusers during the ongoing investigation.
The arrested pair has been remanded to a 10-day judicial custody for further interrogation. The police are actively pursuing leads to locate other individuals involved in the incident, police said.
