Kathmandu — The committee formed to investigate the tragic deaths of a father and daughter in Bardiya, reportedly linked to denial of citizenship, has begun an on-site study of the incident.
A team led by committee coordinator Suresh Panthi reached Ward No. 4 of Badhaiyatal Rural Municipality today, where they inspected the scene and held discussions with all concerned stakeholders to understand the overall situation.
With the committee’s facilitation, the birth registration of seven-year-old Anita Tharu and the death registration of her mother, Anju Tharu, were completed today. According to committee member Kulsekhar Aryal, the team has started assisting the affected family and gathering details about the case. “We will assess the remaining issues and include them in our report,” he said.
Following the incident, a case of abetment of suicide was filed against Anju’s husband, Anil Tharu. Authorities have already obtained a court order to arrest him. The National Human Rights Commission has also launched an inquiry into the matter.
The Home Ministry formed the committee on Mangsir 21, appointing Joint Secretary Panthi as coordinator, with Undersecretary Aryal and Bardiya’s Assistant Chief District Officer Ashok Kumar Bhandari as members. The committee has been instructed to submit its study report within five days.
Anju Tharu, aged 22, of Badhaiyatal-4, had married local resident Anil Tharu. She had filed a property-division case against her husband, and although the court ordered that she be granted her share, she was unable to receive it due to not having citizenship. Her lack of citizenship also prevented the birth registration of her daughter, obstructing all related legal procedures.
Despite a legal provision allowing a mother to register the birth of her child, the ward office refused to register seven-year-old Anita, insisting on the father’s citizenship. Efforts from her maternal family to help Anju obtain citizenship were halted by the District Administration Office. Continuous non-cooperation from the ward and administrative authorities left Anju in distress.
On Kartik 22, overwhelmed by the ongoing denial of basic legal recognition and support, Anju died by suicide at her maternal home. Just four days later, her 61-year-old father, Kanchha Tharu, also took his own life while mourning the loss of his daughter.
The committee’s findings are expected to shed light on administrative lapses and systemic barriers that contributed to the tragedy.
