Two fugitives arrested in Srijana Budhamagar burning death case

By Siraj Khan

Nepalgunj, Apr. 15: Two suspects who had been on the run in connection with the death of Srijana Budhamagar, who died after being set on fire in Nepalgunj–12, have been arrested, according to the District Police Office, Banke.

According to Police Inspector Ramesh Bista, acting information officer at the District Police Office, Banke, the main accused, Srijana’s boyfriend Arif Dhapali, along with his mother and sister, had already been taken into custody and were under investigation. 

Police have now also arrested Dhapali’s father and brother, who had absconded following the incident.

The arrested individuals have been identified as 50-year-old Rahamat Dhapali and his 21-year-old son Mohammad Adil Dhapali. Police said that the investigation into the case has been intensified.

Although the official police statement did not specify the location of their arrest, it is reported that the father and son were apprehended in New Delhi, India. A senior police official said they were brought back in coordination with Indian authorities.

Earlier, Rahmat Dhapali had released a video on social media demanding the release of his wife and son, stating that he would surrender to the police if they were freed. Police said they were able to trace and arrest him based on that video.

Meanwhile, police said that further investigation is underway and additional details will be made public in due course. Superintendent of Police Angur GC, chief of the Banke police, said the case is being treated with utmost seriousness and is being investigated thoroughly.

He added that the investigation aims to ensure that those involved are not spared under any circumstances, while also ensuring that no innocent person is wrongfully implicated. Srijana Budhamagar, 22, was found severely burnt on a road in Koreanpur, Nepalgunj–12, at around 11:35 pm on March 28, 2026. She died while being taken to the hospital.

The investigation was initiated based on a complaint filed by the victim’s family. Earlier, Srijana’s boyfriend Arif Dhapali, along with his mother and sister, had been detained in connection with the case. 

Police confirmed that Rahmat Dhapali and Adil Dhapali, who had been absconding, were arrested on Monday.