Man Arrested at Biratnagar Border with Human Skeletons

February 3, 2025
Man Arrested at Biratnagar Border with Human Skeletons

On Sunday, the Armed Police Force apprehended a person involved in smuggling human skeletons from the border area of Biratnagar. A total of 38 human skulls and 10 leg bones were recovered from his possession. The arrested individual was identified as 37-year-old Binod Rai from Biratnagar Metropolitan City-17.

Binod had previously been arrested on October 7, 2021 (20 Ashoj 2078 BS) with 28 human skulls and 10 bones of hands and legs. At that time, he was detained in police custody for 17 days and later released on bail after paying a deposit of NPR 5,000, as he was charged with indecent behavior. Three years later, on Sunday, he was once again caught with human skeletons.

He was arrested at checkpoint number 2 in Biratnagar-15 while entering from India in a rickshaw. During a routine check, human skeletons were found inside his bag.

According to the police, Nepal’s law does not explicitly address the punishment for individuals involved in smuggling human skeletons. The Armed Police Force stated that he has been handed over to the Area Police Office, Rani, for necessary action.

Authorities are uncertain about which charges to file against Rai, as there are no clear legal provisions regarding the smuggling of human skeletons. During the preliminary investigation, Rai stated that the recovered skeletons were intended for use in tantric rituals.

He admitted to carrying the human skeletons with the intent to sell them to shamans and spiritual practitioners. “It seems that these human skeletons were being brought to be sold to shamans and lamas,” said Bed Prakash Joshi, spokesperson for the Morang District Police Office. “Further investigation is ongoing.”

Rai himself acknowledges the legal ambiguity surrounding his case. “There is no specific law addressing human skeletons, so we are consulting on which charges to file,” he said. “Previously, he was charged with indecent behavior.”

According to police sources, there are suspicions that such human skeletons are also trafficked to China, though no concrete evidence has been found yet. During the preliminary investigation, Rai stated that his role was to transport the skeletons from Jogbani, India, to the Biratnagar market.

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