Bharati Manandhar, wife of Chetan Manandhar, who was murdered by Yograj Dhakal, also known as Regal, is seeking justice against the government’s decision to provide clemency towards her husband’s murderer.

She commenced a hunger strike this morning, as announced during a press conference held at the Reporter’s Club yesterday. However, she collapsed at the Supreme Court premises while visiting to ascertain the date for the writ she filed on Sunday. She has now been admitted to the hospital.

Chetan Manandhar was murdered on the 13th July, 2015, in Nepalgunj by a group, including Regal.

The police had filed a case against 15 people, including Dhakal, in the District Court of Banke, asserting Dhakal’s involvement and plan in the murder of Manandhar at Dhambojhi Chowk, Surkhet Road, Nepalgunj. Regal surrendered on 24th August, 2015, and had received a life imprisonment sentence. However, his sentence was reduced short after a presidential pardon by President Ram Chanda Poudel as announced on Constitution Day 2023.

Regal was affiliated with Tarun Dal, the youth wing of Nepali Congress during the incident.