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🇳🇵 Nepal /Crime & Justice

Man who set himself on fire outside passport department dies

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A 25-year-old man who set himself on fire outside a passport department in Kathmandu has died from his injuries.
  • The government had prepared an air ambulance to transfer him to a hospital in New Delhi, but his condition deteriorated, preventing the move.
  • The man was reportedly distressed by repeated encounters with Kathmandu Metropolitan City police while working and collecting goods.

Ganesh Nepali, 25, has died from injuries sustained after setting himself on fire outside the Department of Passports in Kathmandu. Police confirmed his death on Friday while he was undergoing treatment at Bir Hospital. His elder brother, Madan, was informed of the passing by the hospital, though an official announcement is pending.

The hospital has yet to make an official announcement.

— Madan NepaliGanesh Nepali's elder brother, speaking about the confirmation of his brother's death.

Nepali, from Mugu district, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital’s Burn Intensive Care Unit, having been on a ventilator. Doctors had advised against transferring him to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi due to his critical condition, despite government preparations for an air ambulance and a commitment to cover all medical expenses. Home Minister Sudan Gurung had personally overseen evacuation preparations.

The government had completed preparations for an air ambulance and arranged his transfer from the Indian airport to AIIMS, with the state announcing that it would cover all medical expenses.

— Kathmandu PostDescribing the government's efforts to provide advanced medical care for Ganesh Nepali.

Doctors changed their recommendation after Nepali's condition worsened, warning that transport could further endanger his life. A 21-member specialist team had been treating him. Nepali, who worked as a ride-hailing driver and was preparing for foreign employment and government exams, had reportedly become increasingly distressed by interactions with Kathmandu Metropolitan City police. A week prior, he messaged his nephew about his motorcycle being impounded and fined.

However, doctors changed their recommendation after Nepali’s condition deteriorated. They warned that transporting him in such a critical condition could further endanger his life.

— Kathmandu PostExplaining why the planned medical evacuation was canceled.

Police stated Nepali set himself on fire after his motorcycle was wheel-locked for obstructing public movement and he refused to pay the fine. His family, however, attributed his distress to repeated fines and pressure faced by economically vulnerable workers. Nepali was the main earner for his wife and young daughter.

His family, however, blamed repeated fines and pressure faced by economically vulnerable workers for worsening his distress.

— Kathmandu PostPresenting the family's perspective on the causes of Ganesh Nepali's actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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