Dalit rights activists and the relatives of 21-year-old Nawaraj BK and five others, who were killed on May 23, 2020, over an inter-caste love affair, staged a protest at the High Court Surkhet on April 25 demanding legal action against those involved in the killings. Holding placards with slogans such as “Society killed Nawaraj, the court must not kill justice” and “Nawaraj’s killers must not be released,” they protested outside the court. Those killed along with Nawaraj were 20-year-old Tikaram Nepali, 19-year-old Ganesh Budha, 18-year-old Lokendra Sunar, 20-year-old Sanju BK, and 17-year-old Govinda Shahi. Their bodies were recovered from the Bheri River. On December 5, 2023, the then District Judge of District Court Rukum West, Khadka Bahadur KC, sentenced 24 individuals, including the then Ward Chairperson Dambar Bahadur Malla, to life imprisonment.
Similarly, Nawaraj’s girlfriend, her mother, and her brother were sentenced to two years in prison for caste-based discrimination. Eight individuals were acquitted. Against the District Court’s verdict, Ward Chairperson Malla and others who are in custody in Rukum West filed a total of 24 appeal petitions. Additionally, Nawaraj BK’s father, Munlal Nepali, filed two separate appeals. Hearings on the 26 appeal petitions filed at the High Court Surkhet concluded within two days on April 22. The case was heard by a joint bench of Judges Somkant Mainali and Matrika Prasad Bhandari, but it was placed under consideration without a final decision. The court had scheduled the next hearing for April 28, 2025. However, according to High Court Surkhet spokesperson and Deputy Registrar Prem Prakash Thapa, the case remained under consideration on April 28 as the arguments from both parties’ lawyers were still ongoing. He added that the arguments from both sides and the government attorney could not be completed on April 28 and it is expected to conclude within two days. The hearing on April 28, 2025, was also conducted by the bench of Judges Somkant Mainali and Matrika Prasad Bhandari at the High Court Surkhet.
Nawaraj’s mother, Urmila Bishwakarma, stated that those involved in her son’s killing must not be granted impunity under any pretext. She stated that the court must not release those involved in my son’s killing under any circumstances. The decision made by the Rukum Court should also be upheld by the High Court. She also stated that although her son has died, justice must not die. Likewise, Lokendra’s mother, Laxmi Sunar, shared that various individuals and political parties had been exerting influence since the day of the incident. She expressed that while the Rukum Court had delivered justice, the High Court must also ensure justice is not denied. According to her, some influential people attempted to protect the accused individuals, but she emphasized that justice must not be denied under any circumstances.
Khagendra Sunar, coordinator of Dalit Abhiyan Nepal, who has been actively raising concerns about the incident since the beginning, stated that if the Soti massacre is treated lightly under any circumstances, the entire Dalit community would take to the streets in protest. He pointed out that although the hearing is currently underway at the High Court, there is a long line of lawyers defending those involved in the killing, while it is difficult to find lawyers to speak on behalf of Nawaraj and others. He additionally expressed his hope that an honorable court would not allow justice to be denied under any circumstances.
According to the on-site monitoring report prepared by INSEC immediately after the incident, on the evening of 23 May 2020 at around 6:30 PM, locals of Soti were involved in the killing of Nawaraj BK, 21, of Bheri Municipality-4, Ranagaun, Tikaram Sunar, 20, of Chaurjahari Municipality-1, Sanju BK, 21, of Bheri Municipality-4, Ganesh BM, 17, of Bheri Municipality-4, Ranagaun, Lokendra Sunar, 18, of Bheri Municipality-11, and Govinda Shahi. The report also mentions that the incident appeared to have been preplanned.
[Click here to read the on-site investigation report prepared by INSEC.]