The death case of Headteacher Baldev Singh Dhami of Sampal Secondary School, located in Sunshera of Byas Rural Municipality–4, has taken a serious turn. As statements of the eight arrested suspects began at the District Court in Darchula, the victim’s family has launched protests.
The Joint Struggle Committee, formed to seek justice for the deceased Dhami, submitted a 12-point memorandum through the District Administration Office in Darchula. A protest rally that started from the bus park in Khalanga submitted the memorandum to Assistant Chief District Officer Mohan Singh Dhami at the District Administration Office, Darchula.
They stated that they had launched the protest out of concern that the victim’s family might not receive justice. According to local resident Chandra Singh Dhami, “We fear that a fair and impartial investigation may not be carried out.” He added, “We have taken to the streets to ensure that there are no obstacles to securing justice for the victim.”
He stressed that the District Court of Darchula must deliver its verdict based on law, evidence, and justice. He said, “If there is any attempt to grant bail or otherwise release the accused through ordinary procedures despite sufficient grounds and evidence, the concerned authorities must bear full moral and legal responsibility.”
What happened?
Baldev Singh Dhami, a headteacher at Sampal Secondary School in Sunshera, Byas Rural Municipality–4, and a resident of Malikarjun Rural Municipality–2, was found dead by hanging on May 18, 2026.
Before his death, he posted on Facebook claiming that certain individuals were attempting to falsely implicate him in rape and corruption cases through a planned conspiracy. He publicly named several people in the post.
In a note he had released earlier, he accused eight individuals, including teachers, of causing him mental distress, defaming his character, issuing threats, and subjecting him to unbearable pressure. Based on this note, the police arrested eight suspects.
The suspects were arrested on May 19, 2026, and an investigation was launched. Those arrested included Bikram Singh Kunwar, 32, of Mahakali Municipality-1, Dali Datt Bhatt, 52, of Mahakali Municipality-2, Khinmananda Bhatt, 42, of Mahakali Municipality, Pramananda Bhatt, 57, of Byas Rural Municipality-4, as well as Padam Bhatt, 39, Narendra Datt Bhatt, 43, and Hari Datt Bhatt, 59 from the same locality; and Puskhar Raj Bhatt of Patan Municipality-4 in Baitadi District.
Among them, Pramananda Bhatt is the headteacher of a school in Darchula, while Dali Datt Bhatt, Padam Raj Bhatt, Hari Datt Bhatt, and Pushkar Raj Bhatt are teachers at Sampal Secondary School. Likewise, Narendra Bhatt is the president of the Nepali Congress’s Byas unit, and Khemraj Bhatt is a contractor.
The statements of the accused began at the District Court, Darchula, on June 15, 2026. Madan Prasad Jaiswal, Registrar of the District Court, Darchula, informed that the statements of three individuals were completed on the first day. The recording of statements is ongoing.
The Struggle Committee has demanded an independent and impartial investigation into all individuals alleged to be involved in the incident. The committee has specifically called for three or four of the main suspects to be separated from the others and investigated using scientific methods.
The committee further demanded that anyone found concealing facts, destroying evidence, influencing the investigation, or protecting the guilty be subjected to legal action. It urged the District Court, Darchula, to issue its verdict solely on the basis of law, evidence, and justice. The committee also warned that if any attempt is made to grant bail or otherwise release the accused despite sufficient legal grounds and evidence, the concerned authorities must bear full moral and legal responsibility.
Likewise, the committee has demanded that the findings of the investigation, the evidence collected so far, and the overall status of the inquiry be made public through a press conference. It has also questioned the whereabouts of the mobile phone, diary, laptop, and other materials recovered from the deceased, and called for the public disclosure of any findings obtained from their examination.
The committee further urged a detailed investigation of call records, messages, social media activities, and other technical evidence related to the case. It warned that any political, financial, or administrative pressure on the investigation would be unacceptable.
They stated that if there is any delay, negligence, or bias in the process of securing justice for the victim’s family, they will announce stronger protest programs. The committee warned that if the family’s demands are ignored or authorities hesitate to provide information, it will launch phased protests, including sit-ins, office blockades, and public demonstrations.