Schoolboy whose body was found hanging may have been murdered

KATHMANDU, Nepal - For the past three days, agitated students and guardians have been protesting against the school administration at the Kathmandu-16-based ELIPS School.

The protests were organized in response to the discovery of a 13-year-old boy hanging in his school hostel room late Tuesday.

The guardians of the fifth-grader initiated a murder case against the school administration, according to Kathmandu Police Spokesperson Superintendent of Police Sitaram Rijal.

"At first, the death was ruled out as a suicide, but an investigation was launched after the case was filed," Rijal said.

The Sohrakhutte Police Office has taken into custody the school principal Dirghahari Dahal, hostel in charge Ryan Sapkota, and one Purushuttam Adhikari for further investigation.

The victim's family accused the school administration of impersonating the victim's guardians and transporting the body to the hospital. However, according to the school, the victim was taken to the hospital in the presence of his sister.

Because of the wound marks on the victim's legs and face, the victim's family suspects foul play.

Protesters have accused school officials of physically abusing students.