KATHMANDU, Feb 1: Preparations are under way to take the body of journalist Dinesh Sitaula to the Department of Forensic Science Maharajgunj at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Sitaula, 45, passed away on Sunday at 12:45 PM, at Kathmandu based Grandie Hospital. Sitaula had fallen unconscious during an election campaign run by Rastriya Swotantra Party’ Senior Leader Balendra Shah at Mangalsen of Accham in western hilly district on December 30.
Film journalist Dinesh Sitaula passes away after collapsing dur...
DSP Kaushal Budhathoki of the Kathmandu District Police Range said the post-mortem is being arranged as a procedural measure. “In cases of unnatural death, questions can arise and disputes may emerge later,” Budhathoki said. “Even if there are no issues from the family or friends now, if a complaint is filed later based on rumours, the absence of a post-mortem report would leave us unable to act. Questions may also be raised about why a post-mortem was not conducted, which is why we have decided to carry out the post-mortem.”
Police said the examination is being conducted to ensure procedural clarity and to avoid any future legal or administrative complications.
Sitaula, is a former president of the Film Journalists’ Association of Nepal and a cadre of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) senior leader Balendra Shah. After collapsing he was initially taken to a district hospital, where CPR was performed and circulation was restored after about 15 minutes, before being airlifted to Kathmandu in critical condition.
Grande Hospital said he suffered severe hypoxic brain injury and showed no neurological recovery despite intensive care, and was declared dead following standard medical assessments.
