New Family Girls’ Hostel fined Rs 300,000, sealed after inspection

A girls' hostel in Kathmandu has been shut down and slapped with a hefty fine after authorities found it in violation of hygiene and food safety standards. New Family Girls’ Hostel in Balkumari faced closure and a Rs 300,000 penalty following an inspection prompted by a viral social media video.

The video depicted the hostel operator allegedly threatening a female student. Her complaint, which sparked the inspection, was about finding an insect in the food served at the establishment. This incident brought the hostel's operational standards under scrutiny.

A joint team comprising officials from the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, and Koteshwor Police conducted the inspection. They identified significant problems with the hostel's cleanliness and the storage and serving conditions of the food. These findings led directly to the punitive actions taken against the facility.