Police have arrested Devaraj Nabiyal in connection with the death of Meenu Lohari, 35, whose body was found near the Khotila bridge on the bank of the Kali River in Dharchula, Pithoragarh. Police said the woman was beaten with a wooden stick.
The case came to light after police received information on Friday morning that a woman’s body was lying near the riverbank. A team reached the location and identified the deceased as a resident of Sunsera in Nepal.
According to the investigation, Lohari had been living with Nabiyal in Khotila, Dharchula, after separating from her husband, Mohan Ram, around 3 years earlier. Police began examining Nabiyal’s role after finding bloodstains on the bed and floor inside his house.
Lohari’s son later reached the police station and filed a first information report, accusing Nabiyal of killing his mother. Police then began searching for the suspect.
Investigation and arrest
Police arrested Nabiyal the following day from the bank of the Kali River behind an SSB camp. Investigators said the arrest followed searches connected with the discovery of Lohari’s body near the Khotila bridge.
Police also recovered the wooden stick allegedly used in the attack, along with a bloodstained shirt, shoes and a mobile phone, based on information provided by the accused. These items have been included in the investigation as evidence.
Police said Nabiyal had planned to throw the body into the Kali River after the alleged killing. However, the presence of an SSB near Khotila reportedly prevented him from doing so. Police said he instead left the body under the bridge and returned.
Police account of the dispute
Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde said preliminary questioning indicated that Nabiyal suspected Lohari. According to the police account, the suspicion led to frequent arguments between the 2.
The superintendent said this suspicion and the repeated disputes were linked to Lohari’s death. The allegation remains part of the police investigation, while the court process will determine the legal outcome.
Police said Nabiyal was arrested and sent to jail. The recovered items, the reported bloodstains and the complaint filed by Lohari’s son form part of the material being examined in the case.
Conclusion
Police have arrested Devaraj Nabiyal after Meenu Lohari was found dead near the Khotila bridge in Dharchula. The investigation includes the alleged stick attack, evidence recovered from the suspect’s home and the items seized after his arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where was Meenu Lohari’s body found?
It was found near the Khotila bridge on the bank of the Kali River in Dharchula, Pithoragarh.
Q. Who has been arrested in the case?
Police arrested Devaraj Nabiyal, who had been living with Lohari.
Q. How did police identify the deceased?
Police identified her as Meenu Lohari, 35, a resident of Sunsera in Nepal.
Q. What items did police recover?
Police recovered a wooden stick, a bloodstained shirt, shoes and a mobile phone.
Q. Who filed the first information report?
Lohari’s son filed the first information report at the police station.
Q. What did the superintendent of police say about the suspected motive?
SP Akshay Prahlad Konde said preliminary questioning indicated that the accused suspected Lohari, leading to frequent disputes between them.
