Kathmandu, February 25
Armed Police Force (APF) Inspector Bibek Joshi has been arrested in connection with the death of fellow APF Inspector Santoshi Mahat, who was found hanging inside her barracks.
Mahat’s family had filed a formal complaint against Joshi, accusing him of abetting her suicide. Following the complaint, police took Joshi into custody for investigation, according to DSP Basanta Sharma of the Kaski District Police Office.
Inspector Joshi was serving in APF Battalion No. 23 in Tanahun and was a 16th Batch Basic Training graduate. The victim’s family claims that Joshi and Mahat were in a romantic relationship and that she took her own life due to issues involving him.
In response to the case, the APF Headquarters has formed an investigation committee led by DIG Laxman Singh, who is stationed at the National Armed Police Training Academy, Matatirtha.
Background of the case
Inspector Santoshi Mahat was undergoing basic inspector training at the Riot Control Training Center, Lamapatan Barracks, Pokhara, where she was found dead. She was a 17th Batch Basic Training (2081 BS) recruit and hailed from Sindhupalchok.
Mahat was discovered hanging from a beam near the women’s restroom inside the barracks.
She had joined the Armed Police Force as a constable in 2015 (2072 BS) and was promoted to Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in 2021 (2078 BS). Most recently, she had qualified for the position of Inspector in 2024 (2081 BS) and had begun her training.
