Sep. 22-23
Right after she was discovered missing on the evening of Sep.22 Thursday, the search started with the family, friends and neighbors covering immediate areas around her home and towards Sundarighat bridge, Chobar, TU, Dakshinkali and areas along the Bagmati River. Police were informed right away too. After a confirmation from the police of a CCTV footage near Sundarighat bridge the next day, an extensive search took place involving the police, army, family/friends, rescue workers and volunteers.
Sep. 24-25
Initial sighting reports came from Chobar area but also Bhaisepati, Dollu and Naradevi. So, over the next two days, countless people were spread out all over the locations of interest – mainly along Chobar-Dakshinkali side but also around Lalitpur and further into Kathmandu. Repeated searches went on well into the night, some even stationed around the location of sighting, all the while, planning and co-ordinating for the next day. A canine team confirmed her presence at Jalbinayak Temple at Chobar and following this, drones as well as the mountain rescue team searched as far as 8 kms downstream along the banks of Bagmati river. Hospitals, spiritual sites and hiking routes were repeated searched. All neighboring police stations and army barracks were informed too. Locals at various locations within the contact of the team leading the search also came through for help. The news was circulated online on social media as well as news platforms. It was also broadcasted on the radio repeatedly and published on a national daily newspaper.
Sep. 26-29
Further search continued for couple of days, through an online event calling for volunteers and deploying them at different search zones organized via google earth. Rescue workers worked on their own accord still searching Chobar and TU area in detail. On the otherhand, we received more credible sighting reports from surrounding areas downstream of Bagmati River from Chobar. Farisdol, Dukuchap and Katuwal Daha, and these areas were attended to immediately. In the later days, some reports came from Sisneri, an area connected to Katuwal Daha through the fast-track road along Bagmati and this area was again searched by multiple teams. Additionally, two kayaks searched the banks of Bagmati River again from Chobar till Katuwal Daha. Some new sightings came from Sisneri, further east from Katuwal Daha, and this was followed through multiple times but it couldn’t be fully verified.
Sep. 30 – Oct. 7
A different search tactic was used at this point. 8 different teams moved in from 8 different points along the perimeter of a circle centered around Katuwal Daha. After that, a couple of trekkers camped overnight for many days to search Katuwal Daha and surrounding in detail. Mountain rescue team was employed again and stationed at three different points. In co-ordination with campers and other volunteers, another large scale search covering all areas surrounding Katuwal Daha was done. Later, a sighting was reported at Chaimale on the 4th, and the police and locals responded within half an hour and searched all around but found nothing.
Oct. 8 – Oct. 9
After covering all these areas and finding nothing, assuming that she hadn’t moved away from Katuwal Daha, we retracted back to search the banks of Bagmati River in a large group from Chobar to Katuwal Daha by foot, covering every corner, to see if there’d be any hideout where she’d be staying in. Again, not finding anything, we took to the assumption that she could’ve gotten on a vehicle from Katuwal Daha. And so, we went on to search again at all major bus parks, exit ways around Kathmandu, and also inquired with truck/tipper drivers near Katuwal Daha area.
Oct. 10 – Oct. 18
At this point, 42 paid trekkers in teams of two were employed to scout at 21 different locations encircling Katuwal Daha. We were still receiving some sighting information and these were followed through as soon as possible but most of these ended up being unreliable at the end. Volunteers still kept the search going around the outskirts of Kathmandu, covering temples, monasteries, ashrams, churches, waterfall/hiking. The paid trekkers came back for rest and were soon deployed again. This time, 12 trekkers in teams of two went onto to start at 6 different locations at first and then each team moved through 2 different checkpoints over the next two days, covering 18 different localities.
Oct. 21 – Oct. 31
Still, with no new information in hand, Katuwal Daha being the last location of credible sighting, it was once again searched in detail by couple of trekkers/campers covering every possible walkways, obvious routes and corners but without any finding.
………..
Current effort:
A private investigator is working on the case for now.
In the meantime, we want to spread the news all over the country and make it known to the general population at large. So, we are currently reaching out to influencers on Tiktok, instagram, facebook and also working in the direction of paid ads.