Govt Forms Five-Member Committee to Investigate Ganesh Nepali's Death

The government has formed a five-member committee to investigate the death of Ganesh Nepali, the 25-year-old ride-hailing driver who died after setting himself on fire during an altercation with Kathmandu Metropolitan City police, as pressure mounts for answers over the incident.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung informed the House of Representatives on Friday, July 10, that the committee will be headed by Deputy Inspector General Gobinda Thapaliya of the Kathmandu Valley Police Office in Ranipokhari.

Gurung also said police have taken three Kathmandu Metropolitan City police personnel into custody for questioning in connection with the incident. 

Nepali succumbed to severe burn injuries at Bir Hospital on Friday, a day after setting himself on fire outside the Department of Passports in Tripureshwar, Kathmandu.

The incident occurred during a confrontation with Kathmandu Metropolitan City police over an alleged parking violation.

Officials said Nepali had parked his motorcycle in a prohibited area, prompting metropolitan police to wheel-lock the vehicle. He reportedly refused to pay the fine and took the extreme step after officials began preparing to tow the motorcycle away.

The incident has triggered widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of Kathmandu Metropolitan City's enforcement practices, with growing calls for accountability and a transparent investigation into the incident.