Team formed to probe Sankhuwasabha prison deaths

KATHMANDU: The police have detained nine prisoners for questioning in connection with the deaths of two inmates at District Prison, Sankhuwasabha.

Chief District Officer (CDO) of Sankhuwasabha, Shiv Kumar Karki, said the nine individuals were transferred from the prison to facilitate their investigation due to security concerns.

A three-member probe team, led by Assistant CDO Mohan Mani Adhikari, has been formed to investigate the incident, CDO Karki added. According to Karki, the committee has been given 10 days to complete its investigation and submit its findings.

Binod Tolangi (19), a resident of Madi Municipality-5 in Sankhuwasabha, and Akash Balami (28), hailing from Kakani Rural Municipality-7 in Nuwakot, died in Sankhuwasabha prison on Wednesday morning.

The pair had managed to escape the prison on Tuesday night by cutting through the prison bars. However, law enforcement succeeded in recapturing them and returning them to the facility, according to CDO Karki.

At approximately 2 pm, fellow inmates informed guards the two were unwell and needed to be taken to a hospital.

CDO Karki stated that the two passed away while undergoing medical treatment.