Police have arrested and publicly disclosed the identity of a 43-year-old man accused of murdering 18-year-old Suchina Ghale in Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality-1, Gorkha.

The accused, Man Samjher Gurung, was apprehended on charges of killing Ghale on November 30 after she resisted his attempt to sexually assault her while she was cutting grass in the Maikharka jungle. Her body was discovered buried in a shallow grave on December 3, according to Superintendent of Police Basudev Pathak.

“Investigations reveal that Gurung followed Ghale to the jungle, proposed sexual relations, and attempted to rape her when she refused,” said SP Pathak. “The victim resisted, screamed for help, and fought back, but the accused eventually overpowered her, suffocating her by stuffing her mouth with soil and grass.”

After committing the crime, Gurung used Ghale’s jacket and a carrying strap to transport her body approximately 50 metres away, where he buried it in a hole he dug. Evidence, including a basket and a combat cap left at the scene, led to his arrest.

Police also found a note in Gurung’s drawer during a search of his house. Titled “My Statement,” the note bore his thumbprint and an admission that he had taken the life of an innocent girl. Gurung reportedly attempted suicide twice following the incident.

Physical evidence collected during the investigation has been sent to Nepal Police’s forensic lab for analysis. The post-mortem was conducted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.

A case of homicide has been registered against Gurung, and further investigations are ongoing, police said.