Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ has inquired about the investigation into the suspicious death of Rinku Kumari Sada from the Chief District Officer and security officials in Siraha.
During his visit to the district as part of the “Maoists with the People, Terai-Madhesh Awakening Campaign,” Prachanda met with the officials to discuss the case.
He also visited Rinku’s grieving family and the protest committee leading the movement for justice. Since the family suspects that Rinku was murdered, he urged the authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.
Highlighting the sensitivity of the case, Prachanda stated that an attempt was made to settle the issue through a local panchayat (village council) even after Rinku reported being raped. Regardless of whether her death was a murder or suicide, he stressed that the truth must be uncovered and all registered complaints should be investigated.
Additionally, Prachanda raised concerns about another woman’s death in Siraha, allegedly linked to a dowry dispute, which the victim’s family claims has not received adequate attention. He called for a proper investigation into that case as well.
In response, the district administration and security officials assured that the investigation was ongoing based on the filed complaints and that there was no undue pressure on the process.
On the night of Magh 27, Rinku had gone outside her home to use the toilet when she was allegedly gang-raped by three local youths. Instead of ensuring justice, a village panchayat was convened to resolve the matter through reconciliation. Shortly afterward, Rinku was found dead in her home.
Before her death, Rinku had stated that she was gang-raped, and evidence suggests that a panchayat meeting was held to suppress the case. On Magh 29, her family had called for a community discussion, seeking justice.
During these discussions, the panchayat imposed a fine of NPR 150,000 on Rupesh Mandal, who is now on the run, as an attempt to settle the case. However, Rinku’s family rejected the decision, leading to disputes. Even Rupesh’s father, Dewanath Mandal, did not agree with the fine.
On Magh 30, another panchayat meeting was held, where Rinku explicitly named Rupesh and two others as her assaulters, according to a local witness. Despite her statement implicating multiple individuals, the panchayat only imposed a fine on Rupesh, which his father opposed. The disagreement led to tensions in the village.
Shortly after these attempts to cover up the case, Rinku was found dead in her home, further deepening suspicions about the circumstances of her death.
