Woman Found Murdered in Rautahat; Family Members Sought

Police in Rautahat, Nepal, have uncovered the body of a 25-year-old woman, Tarima Khatun, who was allegedly murdered by her in-laws at her residence in Musaha, Brindaban Municipality-9. The victim’s body was discovered late Monday night, buried in a pit in a location used for storing straw at her own home, according to statements released by the District Police Office.

A joint team from the Garuda Area Police Office and the Rautahat District Police Office arrived at the scene on Tuesday morning following notification of the incident and found Khatun’s body interred. The victim’s husband, Sheikh Adil, is currently working abroad in Saudi Arabia. Following the discovery, all immediate family members, including her father-in-law, Sheikh Ali Mohammad, have fled the residence. Police Superintendent (SP) Rabin Karki confirmed that the family members also took Khatun’s one-and-a-half-year-old son, Mohammad Arif, with them.

According to the Ward Chairman of Brindaban-9, Parvez Alam, the victim, originally from Paltuwa in Gujara Municipality-7, was previously accused of having an illicit relationship with a relative, Sheikh Alahuddin (also known as Guddu), during a wedding ceremony at her parental home on October 18. The two were subsequently handed over to the Chandranigahpur Area Police Office. Following a verbal agreement to marry, Khatun and Alahuddin were released into the custody of her father-in-law, Sheikh Ali Mohammad, as stated by the victim’s father, Taj Mohammad.

Taj Mohammad’s brother, Sheikh Aas Mohammad, alleged that the murder occurred on Monday night while Alahuddin was reportedly visiting his in-laws, who are his sister’s family. Sheikh Aas Mohammad claims he was threatened with death by Khatun’s family if he revealed the incident, stating, “I managed to take a picture and escape somehow. I have sent the image as proof to my parents.” Police suspect Khatun was killed using a sharp weapon to the head and also sustained a deep injury to her right leg. A knife was recovered from the crime scene as evidence.

Khatun’s body has been transported to Chandranigahpur Hospital for post-mortem examination. The Rautahat District Police Office has confirmed that an investigation into the murder is ongoing, and a search operation for the absconding family members is currently underway.