Garima Case Widens as Ninth Person Taken Into Custody

BARA, AUGUST 24, 2026

Police have taken Pradip Khadka, a student from Jitpur-Simara, into custody as the investigation into the alleged rape and murder of three-year-old Garima Chaudhary in Jitpur-Simara Sub-Metropolitan City, Bara, continues to widen. Khadka was detained after his name surfaced during the investigation, including in a leaked video containing an alleged statement by a juvenile accused, while Bara Police say nine people are now in custody as investigators work to determine who was involved and what role, if any, each person played.

Who Is Pradip Khadka?

Police have identified Pradip Khadka as a student from Jitpur-Simara who has now been taken into custody for investigation.

Some social-media posts and circulating accounts describe Khadka as a 14-year-old Grade 9 student, but his age and grade have not been confirmed in the police-linked news reports reviewed so far. For that reason, it would be safer for publication to identify him simply as a student unless police officially confirm his age.

His detention does not establish guilt. Police are investigating his possible involvement and any allegations against him remain subject to evidence and the judicial process.

Why Did Pradip Khadka's Name Surface?

Khadka's name gained public attention after a video containing the alleged statement of a juvenile accused circulated widely on social media.

In the leaked recording, the juvenile allegedly claimed that a person named Pradip Khadka was involved in planning and carrying out the crime. The recording contains serious allegations about Khadka's alleged role, but those claims should not be presented as established facts unless independently supported by the police investigation and evidence.

Police subsequently took Khadka into custody and are investigating his possible connection to the case.

Who Are the Nine People in Custody?

The District Police Office, Bara, says nine people, including Pradip Khadka, have been taken into custody during the investigation.

However, police have not publicly released the identities of all nine detainees.

Earlier reports publicly identified a 16-year-old juvenile as an initial accused. Some reports identified him as Suman Thapa. Another person, Progesh Chaudhary, was also reported as having been taken into custody during the initial phase of the investigation.

Four additional people were later detained following complaints and demands for a broader investigation. With subsequent detentions, including Khadka, police now put the total number of people in custody at nine.

Importantly, being taken into custody for questioning or investigation does not mean all nine have been charged with or found responsible for Garima's death. Police are still determining the involvement, if any, of each person.

How Did the Garima Case Begin?

Three-year-old Garima Chaudhary, the daughter of Manmati Chaudhary, went missing from her home in Jitpur-Simara Sub-Metropolitan City-1 at around 8:30 am on August 16.

Her mother reported her missing to police at around 11:15 am, according to a Nepal Police account of the investigation.

Police teams searched areas including Simara, Jitpur, Pathlaiya, Auraha and surrounding forests. Officers also reviewed available CCTV footage, while a trained police dog was later deployed as the search expanded.

Garima Found Dead Two Days Later

At around 5:45 pm on August 18, Garima was found dead inside an empty room of a one-storey, tile-roofed house belonging to Bir Bahadur Roka in the Bhaktinagar area.

Her identity was subsequently confirmed.

Police said their preliminary investigation indicated that the three-year-old had been sexually assaulted and killed.

Two suspects were taken into custody at around 10 pm that night, and the Bara District Court subsequently granted police additional remand time to continue investigating the case.

Investigation Expanded Beyond Initial Suspects

As anger over the case grew, Garima's family and local residents demanded that investigators examine whether additional people were involved.

Police subsequently detained more individuals for questioning. Home Minister Sudan Gurung publicly said four more people had been taken into custody following complaints from the victim's side and pledged that weaknesses in the investigation would not be tolerated.

The number of people being investigated has since increased further, with Bara Police saying on August 24 that nine people are currently in custody.

Leaked Video Creates New Controversy

The investigation took another turn when a video containing the alleged statement of a juvenile accused appeared on social media.

The recording appears to have been made while authorities or officials were present, raising questions over how sensitive investigative material involving a minor was recorded and subsequently leaked.

Police have launched a separate investigation into the circulation of the video. The leak is particularly sensitive because the accused is a juvenile and the recording contains claims that could influence public perceptions before investigators and the courts establish the facts.

Five Days of Protests in Simara

Garima's death triggered widespread anger in Bara.

Residents protested for several days, demanding a transparent investigation and strict punishment for those ultimately found responsible. Demonstrations affected the Birgunj-Pathlaiya road, while protesters also surrounded the Area Police Office in Simara.

Schools in Jitpur-Simara held mourning assemblies, and protests demanding justice for Garima were also organised at Maitighar in Kathmandu.

After five days of protests, traffic along the Simara section of the Birgunj-Pathlaiya road returned to normal on August 23 following an agreement and suspension of the demonstrations.

Police Response Also Under Scrutiny

The case has raised questions not only about the alleged crime but also about how authorities responded after Garima disappeared.

Residents and family members accused police of failing to respond with sufficient urgency during the initial hours after she was reported missing.

The government has said any negligence by police personnel involved in handling the case will also be investigated and action taken where warranted.

Government Holds Talks With Garima's Family

Garima's parents travelled to Kathmandu for discussions with government officials as public pressure over the case intensified.

The talks focused on ensuring a credible investigation, taking action against anyone found responsible and addressing broader concerns raised by the family and protesters.

The case has also fuelled a wider national debate about punishment for sexual violence against children and the effectiveness of Nepal's existing criminal justice system.

What Happens Next?

Police are now examining evidence to determine which of the nine people in custody have a demonstrable connection to the crime and what role, if any, each individual played.

Investigators must also verify the allegations contained in the leaked recording rather than treating the juvenile's statement alone as proof against another person.

Until police complete the investigation and the courts determine criminal responsibility, those detained should be described as suspects, accused persons or people under investigation, rather than as perpetrators.