Ride-hailing driver critically injured after self-immolation attempt outside Passport Department

KATHMANDU: A man who attempted self-immolation outside the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor has been identified as 25-year-old Ganesh Nepali of Soru Rural Municipality-1, Mugu, currently residing in Bhaktapur, police said.

According to the preliminary investigation, Nepali, who works as a ride-hailing driver, allegedly took the step following a dispute with Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s municipal police.

Police said the incident occurred at around 1:45 p.m. on Thursday after Nepali dropped off a passenger outside the Passport Department and parked his motorcycle in a no-parking zone. Municipal police reportedly placed a wheel lock on the motorcycle, leading to a verbal altercation.

As the dispute escalated and municipal police began impounding the motorcycle, Nepali allegedly poured fuel on himself and set himself alight, according to investigators.

Police officers at the scene immediately extinguished the flames and rushed him to Bir Hospital for treatment.

Police said Nepali sustained severe burn injuries and remains in critical condition while undergoing treatment in the hospital’s burn unit. He is reportedly able to speak.

Authorities said they are continuing their investigation to determine whether the dispute over the wheel lock was the sole factor behind the incident or whether other circumstances also contributed.