Tripureshwor Bus Fire Takes New Turn as Police Uncover Driver’s Alleged Use of Multiple Identities

Driver’s Real Identity Comes Under Investigation

Kathmandu Police are investigating the identity and document history of Arjun Dong Tamang of Sisneri, Indrasarovar Rural Municipality, Makwanpur, who died while undergoing treatment after suffering severe burns in the September 21 bus fire in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. The investigation expanded after documents linked to the driver reportedly carried other people’s identities, while his family and the Swatantra Chalak Sangh Nepal have now protested outside Kirtipur Burn Hospital demanding justice, compensation and an impartial investigation.

Initial Identification Raised Questions

Immediately after the Tripureshwor incident, the driver was initially identified as Dawa Lama because a driving license bearing that name was reportedly recovered from him.

The identification later came into question after the person whose name appeared on the license was found to be alive. This prompted police to investigate the deceased driver’s actual identity and the documents he had allegedly been using.

Police Identify Arjun Dong Tamang

Police later identified the deceased as Arjun Dong Tamang. Kathmandu Police SSP Dilip Ghimire said preliminary investigation found that Arjun had reportedly been using a driving license registered in the name of Dawa Lama.

According to police, investigators also found that he had allegedly been using a bank account and citizenship document bearing Dawa Lama’s identity. These findings remain part of an ongoing police investigation.

Family Protests Outside Burn Hospital

Following Arjun’s death, his family members and representatives of Swatantra Chalak Sangh Nepal staged a protest outside Kirtipur Burn Hospital on Tuesday, demanding justice and action against anyone found responsible for the circumstances surrounding his death.

Arjun’s two wives joined the demonstration and said they wanted justice for their husband. They demanded action against anyone whose conduct may have contributed to the incident.

The protesters carried messages demanding justice for drivers and an end to what they described as mistreatment of drivers.

Drivers’ Group Demands Impartial Investigation

Swatantra Chalak Sangh Nepal has called for an impartial investigation into the Tripureshwor incident.

Association president Dhan Bahadur Shrestha demanded appropriate compensation for Arjun’s family and action against anyone found responsible after an investigation.

The association has also called for the formation of a drivers’ commission and broader measures to address what it describes as mistreatment and problems faced by drivers.

Earlier Balaju Incident Under Review

Police are also examining Arjun’s alleged involvement in a November 2025 bus accident in Balaju, in which three people were injured.

According to police, Arjun had reportedly used a driving license issued in the name of Sunil Tamang in connection with that incident and had remained absconding afterward.

These claims form part of the ongoing investigation and have not been established through a judicial process.

Mulpani Case Also Examined

Investigators have also linked Arjun to another incident from around three months ago in the Mulpani area, involving alleged misbehavior with traffic police.

Police said that in this case too, he had reportedly been using a driving license issued under another person’s name, identified as Dawa Tamang.

Investigators are examining whether these documents were connected and how they came into Arjun’s possession.

What Happened in Tripureshwor?

The bus caught fire in Tripureshwor on September 21. Preliminary information indicated that there were no passengers inside the vehicle when the fire broke out.

Reports said Arjun had an argument with traffic police shortly before the incident. However, investigators have not established that the dispute caused the fire, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

The family and drivers’ association are now demanding that authorities establish exactly what happened before the bus caught fire and whether anyone else bears responsibility.

Driver Dies From Severe Burns

Arjun suffered burns to more than 90 percent of his body and was taken to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition.

He died during treatment on Monday night, according to reports. His death initially created confusion over his identity because the driving license reportedly recovered from him carried another person’s information.

Family Seeks Justice and Compensation

Following his death, the focus of the case has expanded beyond questions surrounding his identity and documents.

His family is demanding justice and action against anyone found responsible, while the drivers’ association is seeking compensation for the family and an independent investigation into the entire incident.

The protest outside the hospital adds another dimension to a case already involving questions over the fire, Arjun’s interactions with traffic police before the incident, and his alleged use of documents belonging to other people.

Investigation Expands to Other Documents

Police are investigating whether Arjun had also used other identity cards, driving licenses, banking details or official documents issued in other people’s names.

Investigators are trying to determine how the documents were obtained, whether they were genuine documents belonging to other people, and whether additional identities were used in other incidents.

At the same time, the family and drivers’ association are demanding that authorities investigate the circumstances leading to Arjun’s death.

Both aspects of the case remain under investigation. Claims concerning Arjun’s alleged use of other people’s documents, as well as allegations surrounding the events before the fire, should be treated as preliminary until established by investigators or through a judicial process.