The arrest of Kumar Thapa, widely known on social media as “Nepali Bro,” has triggered public outrage and renewed questions about how authorities respond to repeated complaints of domestic violence and threats against women.
Thapa, 42, has been taken into custody on suspicion of killing his wife, Ishwori Bhujel, in Kathmandu. In interviews with various YouTube channels over the years, Thapa had openly spoken about ongoing conflict with his wife, claiming that most of the property they lived in belonged to her and that their marriage was heading toward divorce.
Following Bhujel’s death, relatives and supporters gathered outside Balaju Police Post throughout Friday night, demanding justice and accountability.
Family Alleges Repeated Warnings Were Ignored
According to Bhujel’s relatives and the couple’s son, she had repeatedly approached Balaju Police Post seeking protection, claiming that her life was at risk because of her husband.
Family members say she had also filed complaints against Thapa and had on several occasions arrived at the police post carrying visible injuries from alleged assaults.
They accuse police of failing to take those complaints seriously. Relatives claim officers treated Thapa as a familiar public personality rather than acting on the allegations placed before them.
Police have not publicly responded to those accusations.
The case has now moved beyond a single homicide investigation for many family members. They are demanding answers about whether warning signs were overlooked and whether earlier intervention could have prevented the tragedy.
Attack Took Place While Returning From Work
Police said the incident occurred at around 10:10 pm on Friday in Paiyuntar, Lolang, under Tarakeshwar Municipality.
Bhujel was serving in the military.
Investigators say Thapa waited along the route she normally used while returning from work. Police state that he attacked her from behind with an iron rod. Witnesses nearby rushed her to hospital, but she died during treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj.
Relatives, however, have presented a different account. They claim Bhujel suffered a deep wound to her neck caused by a knife attack and argue that the full circumstances of her death will only become clear once the post-mortem report is released.
Because of these differing claims, the exact medical cause of death remains a matter for ongoing investigation.
Calls to Expand Investigation
Bhujel’s relatives are also demanding that investigators examine the possible involvement of other individuals.
They have called for scrutiny of certain members of Thapa’s family as well as Prakash Bhujel, a man they describe as a self-proclaimed shaman, along with others they believe may have information relevant to the case.
Thapa was arrested from the Balaju area on Friday night and is currently being held at Balaju Police Circle while the investigation continues.
Questions Over Institutional Responsibility
Alongside demands for punishment against whoever is found responsible for Bhujel’s death, relatives are pressing for an independent examination of the conduct of police officers who may have received her earlier complaints.
They argue that if records confirm she repeatedly sought protection and warned authorities about threats to her life, any negligence should also be investigated.
The case has resonated beyond the immediate family because it touches on a broader public concern: what happens when warnings of domestic violence are repeatedly raised before a fatal incident occurs.
Thapa had previously spent time in police custody in connection with the couple’s domestic disputes.
Known online as “Nepali Bro,” he frequently appeared on YouTube interviews, claimed at different times to be a prominent athlete, associated himself with various protest movements and public personalities, and often remained in the public eye through controversial statements and viral social media appearances. Critics and followers alike often viewed him as someone who actively sought public attention.
Police say further investigation is underway.
