Surge in family-related crimes raises concerns

A series of murders involving family members in Kathmandu Valley over 10 days has shocked the nation.

Last Saturday, Milan Acharya from Khotang murdered his father Kul Prasad Acharya (56) and brother Pravin Acharya (22). Milan, who had been living in Balkot of Bhaktapur, attacked his sleeping father with a pestle, then moved to another room to kill his younger brother with the same weapon. Mentally disturbed, Milan attempted self-harm in a forest before surrendering to police three days later.

In another incident, a man killed his son near the Shahid Smriti playground in Bhaktapur Municipality-2 on Dec 17. Dip Bahadur Shahi (63) of Achham killed his son Narendra at around 10:15 pm using a knife. Police are investigating why Dip Bahadur, who had come from Achham to donate his kidney to his ailing son, committed the crime.

Likewise, Sarita Tamang (17), originally from Gajuri Rural Municipality-4 of Dhading, was found dead in her rented room in Chandragiri Municipality-10 of Kathmandu on Dec 18. Sarita, who used to live alone, had been out of contact with her family since December 16. Her brother had informed the police that his sister had gone missing. A grade 10 student at Satungal-based Bishnudevi Secondary School, Sarita's body was found hidden beneath her bed. Police have arrested her cousin Bishwas Tamang for the crime. According to police, Bishwas, who has a habit of watching porn, killed Sarita and raping her.

An engineering student was killed in Chyasal of Lalitpur during a dispute over payment of a restaurant bill. Nayan Gurung from Sunsari, who had completed his BE third semester at Himalaya College, was stabbed to death by a restaurant worker. Nayan had gone to The Town Hub Café with friends on the night of Dec 24. At around 9:10 pm, when Nayan tried to pay the bill before leaving, Hemraj Bhatta at the counter demanded that he clear his previous dues first. When the argument escalated, Hemraj pulled out a knife from the counter and stabbed Nayan to death.

These four incidents occurred within 10 days in Kathmandu Valley. Between Dec 16 and 25, five people were murdered in the capital. In three cases, the accused were family members. It is hard to believe that one’s own relatives could commit such heinous crimes. However, police records show there has been an increase in crimes involving relatives, neighbors and acquaintances in recent times.

According to the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari, 31 people have been found dead in three districts of the valley since the beginning of fiscal year 2024/25 in mid-July, including 18 deaths related to homicide. Data provided by the Nepal Police Headquarters shows 192 cases of murder have been recorded across the country since mid-July. Similarly, 382 homicide-related incidents have been recorded nationwide during the period.

Binod Ghimire, the spokesperson for Kathmandu Valley Police Office, said heinous crimes, except in rare cases, mostly occur due to rage. Crime increases due to rage, frustration from failure, depression, anxiety, family disputes and animosity, he added. In murders by relatives, family issues and rage are more common causes than financial reasons, said Ghimire.

Nepal Police Spokesperson Bishwa Adhikari said heinous crimes by relatives is not just an issue in the capital but a problem nationwide and globally. Looking at police statistics from the past five years, over 1,200 cases involve family members as perpetrators, he said. “The main reason behind relatives committing crimes is mental instability. People commit crimes for momentary gain or in fits of rage. As family harmony weakens, conflicts and disputes arise. The decline in family reconciliation and harmonious environments has led to an increase in criminal incidents. The main causes are alcohol, drugs, circumstances, rage, financial reasons and extramarital affairs,” Adhikari added.

According to Adhikari, homicide cases mostly involve personal reasons. “Very few incidents occur after long planning and preparation. Most horrifying incidents happen due to inability to control momentary rage, and personal enmity and disputes,” he said. “The Balkot twin murder can be attributed to extreme despair and failure of the perpetrator.”

Former SSP Dinesh Raj Mainali said it is impossible to predict when an enraged person might cause an accident or commit a crime. “Rather than saying that police failed to prevent incidents or that impunity is rising, individuals, families, relatives and society must play effective roles in preventing such incidents,” he said. “Everyone needs to pay attention to resolving family disputes. It is also necessary for everyone to consider the mental health of family members.”

According to Mainali, those who stay alone, show pessimism and lack focus in any work might also have problems. “Major accidents can occur if even the minor behavioral changes are ignored,” he added. Dhundi Raj Neupane, the spokesperson for the District Police Office, Bhaktapur, is studying three heinous crimes of the past 10 days. “No one can predict crime within families. Family discord and financial reasons are the main causes of such crimes. Such criminal incidents occur when people are mentally disturbed and unable to control their rage,” he added.

According to spokesperson Neupane, over 90 percent of those involved in criminal activities have basic knowledge of law. “Those involved in drug abuse and cybercrime related cases often claim ignorance of the law. However, the accused in other cases have general information about the law,” he said. “Claiming ignorance of the law after committing a crime doesn’t provide exemption.”

Nepal Police has also initiated a Community Police Partnership Program to connect society and police. Under this program, Nepal Police is conducting awareness programs throughout the country. Such programs are organized in schools, colleges and universities as well.