By Our Correspondent, Khalanga, Feb. 25: A high-level committee led by an under-secretary of the Home Ministry has reached Jumla and begun an investigation into the death of 14-year-old Padam Budha.

According to the Jumla District Administration Office, under-secretary Madhav Prasad Dhungana of the Ministry of Home Affairs is leading the investigation team.

“Under-secretary Dhungana will be supported by Superintendent of Police (SP) Madhav Prasad Shrestha of Sudurpaschchim Province Police Office and Chief Investigation Officer Dil Bahadur Chaudhary of the National Investigation Department,” said Bhupendra Thapa, Chief District Officer of Jumla. 

Budha had died in Karnali Academy of Health Sciences while undergoing treatment after returning from police custody.

According to the family of the deceased, Budha was taken to the District Police Office on January 31 for an investigation into a mobile theft case but returned home with bruises on his leg and on other body parts.

Budha was then taken to Karnali Academy of Health Sciences but died while undergoing treatment.

“The injuries in his legs had resulted in blood clots. The blood clots then travelled to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and heart causing blockage and disturbing normal function of the organs; which resulted in his death,” said Dr. Prabin Giri of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences.

After the death, the family members of Budha have been demanding a fair investigation into the case and action against the culprit. They have also accused police of misusing their authority.

However, the District Police Office, Jumla, has stated that Budha had arrived at the office on January 31 by himself and left at around 3 pm.

“I only got informed on February 12 about family members of Budha admitting him at the hospital. We have suspended a police officer who had questioned Budha on January 31,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhav Prasad Kafle of the Jumla District Police Office.

Amidst the confusion and increasing protest from the family members of the deceased, the high-level committee is expected to give a report based on a fair investigation.

The committee has begun its investigation by learning about the incident through the Chief District Officer, police officers, and journalists of Jumla.

“We have begun and we will investigate deeply to find out the truth. We will investigate to support and provide justice to the victim,” said Dhungana, coordinator of the high-level probe team.