Victim’s family members and rights activists gathered in Maitighar today to protest the government’s handling of the Nirmala Kurmi case, demanding justice and immediate action against the main accused. Despite the government’s repeated assurances to bring Kurmi’s case to court, protesters claim that the ruling party has instead shielded the primary suspect by appointing him as a provincial minister.

The protest, which began at 10 a.m., marks the fifth phase of agitation by the victims and supporters of Nirmala Kurmi, a woman whose mysterious disappearance in 2018 remains unsolved. Kurmi’s story began with the death of her husband in 2005 in Nepalgunj, Banke, followed by the mysterious deaths of her two sons in 2009, within just ten days of each other. After her family’s demise, Badshah Kurmi, a leader of the Nepali Congress, allegedly took control of Nirmala’s property under the pretext of safeguarding it. However, in 2018, Nirmala disappeared, and her real estate was transferred to others. A formal complaint has been lodged against Badshah Kurmi, accusing him of kidnapping and murdering Nirmala to usurp her property.

In October 2021, rights activist Ruby Khan led a march from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu, demanding justice for Nirmala Kurmi.

The protestors now call for the immediate removal of Badshah Kurmi from his ministerial position in Madhes Province and urge the government to expedite the legal proceedings in the case. They also demand guarantees for the safety of the protestors, who fear reprisals.

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