Four members of a gang were arrested on charges of carrying out serial killings in Okhaldhunga less than a month ago.
Chandra Bikram Rai, 80, and his wife Chandra Maya Rai of Chisankhugadhi Rural Municipality 6 have been murdered in a similar fashion despite the arrest of the gang.
The latest murder of another couple within a month has made the incident even more mysterious. Although the nature of the previous incidents and the current murder of the Rai couple are identical, it is unclear whether it was carried out by members of the same gang or a different group.
At around 7:30 Tuesday morning, locals discovered the bodies of the couple who had been brutally murdered, and called the police. The bodies of the elderly couple, who operated a grocery shop, were found on their bed. On Wednesday, a team from the Provincial Police Office, including trained dogs, have moved forward investigation process.
Ward Chairman of Chisankhugadhi-6 Balaram Katuwal stated that the recent murders appear to be of the same nature as previous incidents. "This incident is more brutal than the last two. From what we can see, it appears to be of the same nature and style," he said. "Therefore, we suspect that either the four people arrested previously were not the only ones involved in the gang, or the mastermind is still at large. These incidents are occurring as a direct challenge to the state."
Previously, 60-year-old Shobhit Man Thapa Magar and his wife Ratna Maya Thapa Magar of Bhadaure Gairigaun in the same ward were murdered at their home on the morning of December 30, 2025. Following that double murder, a team from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) was deployed from Kathmandu. Similarly, a joint team from the Provincial Police Office and the District Police Office, Okhaldhunga conducted the investigation.
Through that investigation, the police arrested 28-year-old Sangam Rai (alias Milan), 30-year-old Binod Rai, Prakash Bhujel, and 30-year-old Ashok Bhujel (alias Dorje), all from Okhaldhunga.
According to the CIB, it was revealed that after killing the Thapa Magar couple, they had planned another murder. It was also discovered that the same group had murdered 52-year-old Ratna Kumari Katwal, a single woman, in Siddhicharan Municipality-4, Charkhu, on October 12.
Looting occurred in both the murders of the Thapa Magar couple and Katwal. At that time, 8 tolas of gold jewelry and Ra 100,000 in cash were looted from the Thapa Magar couple. Similarly, cash and gold jewelry were looted from Katwal as well.
Inspector Bikram Bahadur Bhattarai at the District Police Office, Okhaldhunga stated that looting also occurred in this latest incident. "We are working on the field report. Boxes have been broken into, so it can be said that looting took place. The exact amount looted has not yet been confirmed. We are investigating," he said. "Investigation with trained dogs has begun. Although it looks similar to previous cases, we cannot yet say if it is the same group."
Similarly, CIB spokesperson SSP Shiva Kumar Shrestha mentioned that although this incident and the previous ones appear to be of the same nature, it cannot be said right now whether the group is the same. "The group arrested previously was caught after committing murders at two places and while planning a third," he said.
"A conclusion can only be reached after the investigation. The crime scene is currently being investigated. We cannot say anything yet, though the nature of the crime is reportedly the same." The CIB is also monitoring the serial murder incidents occurring in Okhaldhunga. "We will know the requirements of the crime scene later. We are maintaining a level of surveillance," he added.
