Police have arrested Raju Rajali, 19 of Lekbeshi Municipality–5, Neta on October 11, 2025, for attempting to rape an 18-year-old Raute girl.
According to the victim, while returning to her settlement from a nearby village on the night of October 10, Rajali tried to assault her near a stream close to the settlement. The girl managed to escape and reach the settlement. After the failed attempt near the stream, the accused allegedly entered her house while she was sleeping and again attempted to rape her, prompting the victim to file a complaint at the District Police Office, Surkhet on October 12.
Raut youth from the community apprehended Rajali and handed him over to the police after the attempted assault in the settlement.
According to INSEC records, such incidents against girls from the Raut community have occurred previously. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had earlier advised the government to ensure regular security arrangements in Raut settlements, taking into account their safety, said Ramesh Kumar Thapa, Chief of NHRC Karnali Province, Surkhet.
On October 12, a team from NHRC, INSEC, and the Human Rights Defenders’ Network conducted an on-site monitoring of the incidents in the Raut settlement. Following the monitoring, the team met with SP Sudhirraj Shahi of the District Police Office, Surkhet, requesting security arrangements in the settlement and cautioning that the presence of outsiders in the Raut community could compromise their privacy and safety. This was communicated by Narayan Subedi, Coordinator of INSEC Karnali Province Office.
The victim’s health examination is scheduled for October 13 at Karnali Provincial Hospital, according to SP Shahi. He also assured that security arrangements would be strengthened in the Raut settlement. SP Shahi provided the police contact number to the team visiting with the Raut community, instructing them to call in case of any security issues.
The Raut community has been living in this area since September 23 with 136 residents across 40 households, including 64 men and 72 women, and four women currently pregnant. The Gurans Rural Municipality of Dailekh provides a monthly allowance of NPR 4,000 per Raute in the settlement, distributed quarterly.
Karnali Province Office