Teenager's Body Disappears from Hospital in Siraha; Relatives Protest

Siraha: The area has become tense following the disappearance of the body of 16-year-old Nisha Baniya from a hospital. Nisha, a resident of Jamdah in Golbazar Municipality-3, Siraha, was the subject of intense protests as angry relatives and locals blocked the East-West Highway in the Golbazar area, January 25 (Magh 11).

The body of Nisha Baniya, daughter of Ramesh Baniya, had been kept at the Ramkumar Upendra Prasad Provincial Hospital in Lahan for an autopsy. However, after being informed that the body was missing, relatives and locals took to the streets demanding strict action against those responsible.

The teenager was found dead, hanging in her home, last Friday, January 23 (Magh 9). The Area Police Office, Golbazar, initially treated the incident as a suicide, completed the necessary legal paperwork, and sent the body to the Lahan hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The deceased's parents, who are employed in India, arrived at the hospital yesterday to collect the body. The situation took a dramatic turn when the body could not be found at the facility. Relatives and locals have called the disappearance highly mysterious and are demanding an impartial investigation. 

According to locals, Nisha had stayed at the house of a young man in Lahan the day before her death, and the two were reportedly in a relationship. While it was reported as a suicide shortly after her return home, claims have emerged that there were visible injuries on her body.

Local resident Anand Lama stated that an impartial investigation is essential. "The fact that a suicide occurred after she returned from Lahan, followed by the disappearance of the body from the hospital, is a serious matter. 

There seems to be collusion somewhere; a fair probe is a must," Lama said. Similarly, local teacher Samar Bhandari remarked that the disappearance of a body before an autopsy is a case of gross negligence by the hospital and police administration, demanding the strictest punishment for everyone involved.

Dhan Prasad Lama, the Ward Chairman of Golbazar Municipality-3, warned that if the body is not produced intact by 10:00 AM today, further intense protests will follow. Following this ultimatum, locals temporarily cleared the road.

When contacted for comment, the Chief of the Area Police Office, Lahan, did not answer the phone. Attempts to reach the Hospital Chief, Dr. Ranjit Jha, were also unsuccessful as his mobile phone was switched off. 

According to a journalist at the scene, Dr. Jha had reportedly hidden in his quarters after news of the missing body broke. Although he later came out at the request of health workers, he offered no clear explanation other than stating the body had been "misplaced." Public anger continues to grow as locals demand justice and accountability.