Bibek Mandal was reportedly struggling after losing his teaching job before self-immolation attempt

SARLAHI, July 11: A 42-year-old man who had reportedly been struggling with mental distress since losing his job as a temporary schoolteacher six months ago sustained critical burn injuries after setting himself on fire in Sarlahi on Friday.

Bibek Mandal, a resident of Sisautiya in Godaita Municipality-10, allegedly poured petrol over himself and set himself ablaze at around 1:30 pm, according to the District Police Office (DPO), Sarlahi. He was rushed to the Provincial Hospital in Malangwa for initial treatment before being airlifted by a Nepali Army helicopter to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in Kathmandu.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bed Prasad Gautam, spokesperson for the DPO, Sarlahi, said Mandal suffered severe burn injuries and was referred to Kathmandu after his condition became critical.

Just hours before the incident, Mandal made an unusual phone call to his maternal uncle.

"He called me in the afternoon and said, 'Uncle, please bring me Godaita's famous mangoes, no matter what.' I finished my work and was on my way to his house with the mangoes when I received the news that he had set himself on fire," said his uncle, Shrinarayan Mandal.

Shrinarayan said he rushed to the Provincial Hospital in Malangwa after learning of the incident. Following initial treatment, Bibek was airlifted to Kathmandu along with his father, Upendra Mandal.

According to family members, Mandal had been working as a temporary teacher at a government school in Gaushala, Mahottari. Despite holding a master's degree in English, he reportedly fell into severe mental distress after losing his job about six months ago.

His father told police that his son had been struggling with mental health issues for some time. Family members also informed investigators that he had been under psychological stress in recent months.

Mandal is survived by his wife, Karina Devi, a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. Locals described him as a calm, courteous and well-respected member of the community, saying news of the incident had left the village in shock.

Ward Chair Baidyanath Mandal of Godaita Municipality-10 said Bibek was an educated and sociable person. His elder brother, Mukesh Mandal, has been working in Malaysia for the past nine years.

Following the incident, Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Dr Amaresh Kumar Singh, who is currently on a visit to China, urged the government through social media to ensure Mandal receives prompt treatment at a well-equipped hospital and that all medical expenses are covered by the state.

According to DSP Gautam, Mandal remains in critical condition at Kirtipur Burn Hospital. Police said an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway.