KATHMANDU: A scuffle broke out at Maitighar Mandala on Monday involving Ambika Basnet, wife of CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet, and protester Shobha Pathak, leaving Pathak injured and requiring medical treatment.
A video of the incident, now viral on social media, shows Ambika Basnet arriving with a group and engaging in a physical altercation with Pathak, who had been staging a sit-in protest at the site.
Pathak, who has been accusing Basnet of rape, had been on a hunger strike at Maitighar for several days before calling it off following the resignation of then Home Minister Sudan Gurung. She had recently resumed protests, demanding Gurung’s reinstatement.
Following the altercation, police intervened and took both individuals to the District Police Range for inquiry. Authorities said an investigation into the incident is underway.
Pathak later said through a social media post that she had been taken to the National Trauma Center for treatment. In the post, she alleged that she was attacked by Basnet’s supporters and expressed concerns over her safety.
Officials have yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident, as tensions surrounding the case continue to draw public attention.
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