Kathmandu [Nepal], July 22 – The Nepal government has formed a judicial inquiry committee led by a former High Court judge to investigate the death of Ganesh Nepali, who died while undergoing treatment after attempting self-immolation outside the Department of Passports in Kathmandu.
A Cabinet meeting on Wednesday decided to form the committee under the chairmanship of former High Court Judge Keshav Prasad Bastola.
Nepali set himself on fire outside the passport office in Tripureshwor on July 9 after pouring petrol on himself. He later died during treatment at a local hospital.
The formation of the committee follows a nine-point agreement between the government and Nepali’s family, which included a judicial investigation into the incident, compensation support and assistance for his family.
Nepali’s family had accused Kathmandu Metropolitan City municipal police of contributing to the incident by locking the wheel of his motorcycle during an altercation. The family initially refused to claim his body, demanding that the state take responsibility for his death.
The incident triggered criticism from opposition parties with lawmakers demanding answers from Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government in Parliament.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung later told the House that the government had taken steps to provide medical treatment to Nepali but said his deteriorating health condition prevented him from being airlifted to Delhi’s AIIMS hospital.
The newly formed committee is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and submit its findings to the government.
