Kathmandu: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has stated the government’s commitment to taking stern action regarding the death of a 17-year-old girl at Nawarajpur rural municipality in Siraha. In his address to a session of the National Assembly today, the Minister emphasized that all those responsible for the incident will be identified and prosecuted. The girl, identified as Rinku Kumari Sada, allegedly committed suicide after being gang-raped by three locals.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Home Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims. He informed the House that the girl was found hanging in her house on February 12, and an FIR was filed against a 19-year-old male for abetting the incident. On February 20, the girl’s mother registered an FIR against eight individuals, claiming her daughter was gang-raped and murdered, and that there was an attempt by the village council to settle the case internally.
In response to concerns over the challenges faced by Neha Rauniyar and Satyendra Ram due to their inter-caste marriage, the Minister refuted claims of state intervention in the case. He highlighted the government’s seriousness and sensitivity regarding the matter, affirming that the right against untouchability and discrimination is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Minister added that any allegations against his stance on inter-caste marriages undermine his values and ideologies. Following the incident, a Dalit desk has been established at the Nepal Police Headquarters, with plans to extend it to all 77 districts.
Furthermore, the government expressed its dedication to addressing issues of usury in accordance with existing laws. Complaints regarding usury that have been registered in district-based police offices are currently under investigation, with the government ensuring the resolution of these cases to provide justice to the victims.
To date, 5,200 complaints submitted to the Commission formed to handle these issues have been settled. The Minister also mentioned the implementation of zero tolerance against trans-border smuggling and the formation of an investigative committee, led by Kaski’s Chief District Officer, to examine the recent balloon explosion during the inauguration of Pokhara Visit Year 2025.
In closing, the Minister stressed the government’s seriousness about cases of violence against women, stating that efforts are underway to address such incidents with a guarantee of justice for the victims.