Maya Kathayat, 38, of Gurbhakot Municipality–12, Pipley, jumped into the Bheri River along with her two children after being unable to endure repeated physical and mental abuse by her husband. The incident resulted in the deaths of the mother and daughter, while the son remains missing.
On the night of March 13, Maya had gone to her maternal uncle Ammar Dev Giri’s house with her daughter Asha, 11, and five-year-old son Dipak. According to her maternal family, she complained that her husband, Bhupendra Kathayat, would regularly beat her under the influence of alcohol, maintain extramarital relations, and threaten to kill her by brandishing a khukuri.
That same night, Bhupendra Kathayat arrived at her maternal home. While searching for Maya, she was found hiding in the forest. It is reported that her husband assaulted her again there. Following this, the maternal family decided not to send her back immediately and planned to hold discussions the next day.
During a family discussion the following evening, Bhupendra promised not to abuse her again, after which Maya returned home with her children. However, on the evening of March 15, news emerged that they had gone missing in the Bheri River.
After the incident, a search operation was carried out by Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, and local residents. During the search, the bodies of Maya and her daughter Asha were recovered on March 16, according to DSP Mohan Jung Budhathapa of the District Police Office, Surkhet. He stated that the search for five-year-old Dipak is still ongoing.
According to police, preliminary investigations suggest that the incident was caused by domestic disputes. However, the maternal family has alleged that the tragedy was the result of continuous physical and mental abuse by the husband, and has demanded an impartial investigation and legal action against the perpetrator. The victim’s family is preparing to file a complaint against the husband at the Area Police Office, Chhinchu, on March 18.
According to the deceased’s brother, Premraj Giri, Bhupendra had been regularly assaulting Maya since Dashain. It is reported that he used to go to India for foreign employment in the past, during which time their marital relationship was normal.
According to the District Police Office, Surkhet, postmortem examinations of the bodies have not yet been conducted. Both bodies have been kept at Mehelkuna Hospital, Surkhet.