From a Wheel Lock to a Tragic Death: The Final Two Hours of Ganesh Nepali and the Questions Facing Kathmandu Metropolitan City

The Story

What began as an ordinary working day for ride-hailing driver Ganesh Nepali ended in one of the most heartbreaking incidents Kathmandu has witnessed in recent years.

The 26-year-old, originally from Soru Rural Municipality-1, Mugu, sustained critical burn injuries after setting himself on fire outside the Department of Passports in Tripureshwar on Thursday. Despite treatment at Bir Hospital, he died on Friday.

His death has sparked protests, public debate, and demands for accountability as videos, eyewitness accounts, family statements, and official explanations reveal how the incident unfolded.

A Dispute Over a Wheel Lock

According to Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police, Ganesh had parked his motorcycle in a restricted area outside the Department of Passports where it allegedly obstructed pedestrian movement.

Metropolitan police officers placed a wheel lock on his motorcycle.

A video that surfaced after the incident shows Ganesh arguing with a female metropolitan police officer over the action.

During the exchange:

• Officers repeatedly told him to move on.

• Ganesh questioned why the wheel lock had been applied while he was still near the motorcycle.

• The officer replied that the motorcycle had been parked in a prohibited area and that wheel locks are routinely applied in such situations.

• The conversation became increasingly tense but did not turn physically violent.

The footage has since spread widely on social media and become central to public discussion surrounding the incident.

Nearly Two Hours Passed Before the Tragedy

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police Chief Bishnu Prasad Joshi said the wheel lock remained on Ganesh's motorcycle for nearly two hours.

According to Joshi:

• Ganesh refused to pay the Rs 1,000 fine.

• He reportedly told officers to take the motorcycle wherever they wanted.

• Metropolitan police later called a vehicle to tow the motorcycle.

• While officers were occupied with the towing process, Ganesh allegedly siphoned petrol from his own motorcycle, poured it over himself, and set himself on fire.

Police officers immediately rescued him and rushed him to Bir Hospital.

Family Says It Was Not Just One Fine

Ganesh's family says the tragedy cannot be understood by looking only at the events of that afternoon.

His nephew, Man Nepali, revealed that Ganesh had sent him a message on Asar 13, expressing frustration after another wheel-lock incident.

The message read:

"Yesterday, while I went to collect some goods, the municipal police locked my motorcycle. Now I have to pay Rs 1,000."

The message ended with two crying emojis.

According to family members, Ganesh had frequently complained that repeated fines and encounters with metropolitan police were making it increasingly difficult for him to earn a living.

His nephew claimed there were occasions when Ganesh had been fined twice in a single day.

His Brother's Emotional Account

Ganesh's elder brother Madan Nepali received a phone call from Nepal Police around 2:30 pm informing him about the incident.

By the time he reached Bir Hospital, Ganesh had already been admitted to the emergency ward.

Unable to hold back tears, Madan recalled that his brother managed to say only a few words.

According to him, Ganesh requested that the family take care of their parents and blamed the metropolitan authorities for what had happened before he was no longer able to speak.

A Young Father Trying to Build a Better Future

Ganesh lived in Bhaktapur with his wife and their nearly three-year-old daughter.

He worked as a ride-hailing driver to support his family.

According to relatives:

• He was preparing to leave for Dubai for foreign employment.

• At the same time, he was studying for Nepal's civil service examinations.

• He had travelled to his elder brother's rented room in Balaju one day before the incident.

Family members say he left for work at around 5:00 am, never imagining it would be his final day.

Financial Struggles Behind the Scene

Relatives describe the Nepali family as financially vulnerable.

His wife, Ek Maya, said she believes the motorcycle had been purchased for around Rs 3 lakh, with only about half of the loan repaid.

Madan also revealed that after Ganesh was admitted to hospital, the family struggled even to purchase medicines.

He said he had to show his citizenship certificate to receive medicines on credit because they lacked sufficient money.

The family comes from a farming household in Mugu, where local representatives say agricultural production is insufficient to support families throughout the year.

Officials Respond

Kathmandu Metropolitan City maintains that officers followed legal procedures.

According to Metropolitan Police Chief Bishnu Prasad Joshi:

• Wheel locks are applied only to vehicles obstructing roads or footpaths.

• The standard fine for a wheel-locked motorcycle is Rs 1,000.

• He believes the fine alone could not have been the sole reason behind the tragedy and suggested there may have been other underlying issues.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu District Police Range Chief SSP Dilip Ghimire confirmed that Ganesh collected petrol from his own motorcycle before setting himself on fire.

Traffic Police spokesperson Naresh Raj Subedi said the towing process in this case was handled by the metropolitan authorities.

Medical Condition

Doctors at Bir Hospital reported that approximately 70 percent of Ganesh's body had been burned.

Initially, he remained conscious and spoke intermittently while receiving emergency treatment.

Despite intensive medical care, he succumbed to his injuries on Friday.

Body Shifted to Teaching Hospital

Following his death, Ganesh's body was transferred from Bir Hospital to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj.

Hospital officials said Bir Hospital does not have a mortuary refrigeration facility, making the transfer necessary.

As of Saturday, the family had not accepted the body because discussions with the government remained unresolved.

Talks Between Government and Family

The government held informal discussions with Ganesh's relatives on Friday.

However, no agreement was reached.

Further talks are expected as the family and supporters continue demanding justice, accountability, and compensation.

Public Protests Continue

The incident has triggered demonstrations in Kathmandu, particularly at Maitighar, where protesters have demanded:

• An independent investigation.

• Accountability from Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

• Justice for Ganesh Nepali.

• Support for his grieving family.

The incident has also reignited debate over the conduct of metropolitan police, the use of wheel locks, treatment of ride-hailing drivers, and the pressures faced by people struggling to make a living.

Key Timeline

• Asar 13: Ganesh messages his nephew complaining about another wheel-lock fine.

• Thursday Morning: Leaves home for work at around 5:00 am.

• Outside Department of Passports: Motorcycle receives a wheel lock.

• Video Recorded: Ganesh argues with metropolitan police.

• Nearly Two Hours Later: Tow truck arrives.

• Ganesh pours petrol over himself and sets himself on fire.

• Immediately rescued and taken to Bir Hospital.

• Friday: Dies during treatment.

• Friday Night: Body shifted to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

• Ongoing: Government-family talks and public protests continue.