Recent protests in Nepal, triggered by restrictions on social media and growing public discontent over corruption, have escalated into intense demonstrations. As unrest and violence spread, with massive participation from youth protesters, Nepal’s former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli stepped down. Protesters reportedly set fire to the residences of several high-profile government figures. Against this backdrop, numerous media outlets reported that Rabi Lakshmi Chitrakar, wife of Nepal’s former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, had died in the fire amid protests allegedly led by the ‘Gen Z’ movement. According to the reports, angry demonstrators torched Khanal’s residence, where his wife was trapped and later died from severe burns.

The claim was reported by Bangladeshi outlets including Somoy TV, Channel 24, RTV, Jamuna TV (Facebook), Ekattor TV, NTV, Channel i, ATN News, BanglaVision, Ekhon TV (Facebook), Asian TV, The Daily Star, Kalbela, Samakal, Kaler Kantho, Jugantor, Ittefaq, Inqilab, Desh Rupantor, Bangladesh Pratidin, Manabzamin, Naya Diganta, The Business Standard, The Financial Express, Jaijaidin, Janakantha, BDNews24, Dhaka Post, Dhaka Tribune, RisingBD, BanglaNews24, UNB, Dhaka Prokash, Bonik Barta, Sarabangla, The Daily Observer, Rupali Bangladesh, Bahanno News, Bangladesh Journal, Khobor Songjog, Khoborer Kagoj, Sangbad Prokash, Somoyer Alo, Barta Bazar, Protidiner Bangladesh, Noya Shatabdi, Somoyer Konthoshor, BD Today, Bangladesh Bulletin, Swadesh Protidin, Probash Khobor, Jobabdihi (Facebook), Views Bangladesh, Campus Times, Bangla Edition, NewsZoneBD, The News24, Bibarta24, MTNews24, NewsG24, Durbine TV (Facebook), Bangladesh Post, Deshkal News, Jagoron News (Facebook), Sangbad Live24, Dainik Destiny, Khulna Gazette, Boishakhi News, Mirror Times BD, iNewsBD, and Banglabazar Patrika.

Indian media outlets that also reported the claim include The Times of India, Live Mint, News18, Aaj Tak, ABP Live, Ei Samay, News24, India TV (YouTube), ANI News (YouTube), Republic World (YouTube), DD News (YouTube), NDTV MP Chhattisgarh (YouTube), Anandabazar, and The Wall.

Notably, many Bangladeshi reports referenced Indian news outlets as their source for the claim.

Fact-check

Rumor Scanner's investigation revealed that while Rabi Lakshmi Chitrakar, wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, was severely burned during the protests, the claim that she had died is false. In reality, she remains under medical care, and according to the latest updates, her condition is improving.

An article published on the BBC website on September 10 confirmed that Khanal’s wife was among those injured in the unrest, suffering severe burns when protesters set fire to their home in Kathmandu on September 9. Although some media outlets reported her death, her husband told BBC Nepali that she remains alive in critical condition in the ICU at Kirtipur Burn Hospital.

Further investigation found a fact-check report published by Nepal-based platform Nepal FactCheck on September 11, stating that “the former Prime Minister’s wife is under treatment, and the death claim is false.” The platform contacted Dr. Kiran Nakarmi, director of Kirtipur Hospital, where Chitrakar is being treated. On the afternoon of September 11, Dr. Nakarmi told Nepal FactCheck by phone, “Her condition is critical, but she is alive and undergoing treatment.”

A report published by the Nepalese news outlet Setopati on September 18 revealed that Rabi Lakshmi Chitrakar, a senior leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist) and Khanal’s wife, lost her left hand. Citing family sources, the report stated that Chitrakar underwent surgery on September 17 at Kirtipur Burn Hospital, and her left arm was amputated below the elbow. Their residence was also torched during the protests on September 9, resulting in her critical injuries. Additionally, she developed pneumonia, though her condition has since shown signs of improvement.

Another report published by the Nepalese outlet Arthadabali on September 17 also cited doctors who confirmed that Chitrakar’s health is currently improving.

These confirmations establish that the claim of Rabi Lakshmi Chitrakar’s death is inaccurate.

It is also worth noting that while several media outlets referred to the former Prime Minister’s wife as Rajya Lakshmi Chitrakar, multiple Nepalese sources, including Nepal FactCheck, have clarified her correct name is Rabi Lakshmi Chitrakar.

Therefore, the claim that Rabi Lakshmi Chitrakar, wife of former Nepali Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, died in a fire during protests is false.

Original News Source: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/nepali-ex-pm-wife-died-fake/168043