Nepal arrests two men for stealing earrings from flood victim's body
Synopsis
A viral video of two men allegedly stripping gold earrings from a flood victim's body in Nepal's Chitwan district sparked national outrage — and swift arrests. The incident lays bare the human cost and social breakdown that can accompany mass disasters, even as Nepal's flood death toll climbs to 478 with nearly 1,000 still unaccounted for.
Key Takeaways
Madan Bhujel , 25 , and Umesh Chaudhary , 38 , were arrested near Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur Metropolitan City on Thursday .
The two are accused of stealing gold earrings from the body of a woman swept into the Narayani River during Nepal's floods.
Arrests were made after a video of the alleged theft went viral on social media and triggered widespread public outrage.
Nepal's flood death toll stood at 478 confirmed dead by Friday noon , with 977 people still out of contact.
Authorities issued a fresh flood warning on Friday after reports of a lake outburst in Tibet, China that could trigger new flooding in Nepal.
Nepal Police have arrested two men accused of stealing gold earrings from the body of a woman swept into the Narayani River during the country's devastating monsoon floods. The arrests followed widespread public outrage after a video of the alleged theft circulated on social media, prompting authorities to identify and detain the suspects through video analysis.
Who Was Arrested and Where
The District Police Office, Chitwan, confirmed that Madan Bhujel, 25, and Umesh Chaudhary, 38 — both temporarily residing at Bharatpur Metropolitan City in southern Chitwan district — were taken into custody near Pokhara Bus Park on Thursday. Police official Suraj Budha of the District Police Office, Chitwan, confirmed the arrests.
What the Viral Video Showed
The footage, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, showed two men using wooden planks and the woman's hair to pull her body from the floodwaters. The men then allegedly removed earrings from both her ears and set them aside. Several bystanders were visible in the video, with some recording the incident on their phones. Nepal Police subsequently shared the video publicly while announcing that the suspects had been taken into custody.
Police Response and Context
Chitwan Police confirmed through their investigation that the woman's body had been carried into the Narayani River by floodwaters that have devastated large parts of the country. Authorities described the act as 'inhuman' at a time when Nepal is reeling from one of its worst flood disasters. The arrests came as the country continues a large-scale search-and-rescue operation across affected districts.
Scale of the Disaster
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 478 people had been confirmed dead by Friday noon, while 977 remained out of contact. The toll underscores the severity of the monsoon flooding, which has struck multiple regions across Nepal.
Fresh Flood Warning Issued
Compounding the crisis, Nepali authorities on Friday issued a fresh flood alert after receiving reports of a lake outburst in the Tibetan region of China that could trigger new inundation in Nepal. Residents in low-lying areas along river corridors have been urged to remain on alert as rescue operations continue.
Point of View
But the incident points to something deeper: when disaster overwhelms a society, the most vulnerable — even the dead — are left exposed. Nepal's flood response has mobilised rescue machinery, yet the viral video reveals a gap in ground-level oversight at recovery sites. With 977 people still unaccounted for, more bodies will surface; the question is whether authorities can maintain dignity in recovery alongside the rescue operation. The China lake-outburst warning adds urgency — if a second wave hits, the institutional strain will only worsen.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested for stealing from the flood victim's body in Nepal?
Madan Bhujel , 25, and Umesh Chaudhary , 38, both temporarily residing in Bharatpur Metropolitan City , Chitwan, were arrested on Thursday. They were identified through an analysis of a viral video showing the alleged theft.
What did the viral video from Nepal's flood show?
The video showed two men using wooden planks and the woman's hair to pull her body from the Narayani River , then allegedly removing gold earrings from both her ears. Bystanders were visible in the footage, with some recording on their phones.
How deadly have Nepal's 2024 monsoon floods been?
As of Friday noon , the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority confirmed 478 deaths , with 977 people still out of contact. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing across affected districts.
Is there a risk of more flooding in Nepal?
Yes. Nepali authorities issued a fresh flood alert on Friday after receiving reports of a lake outburst in the Tibetan region of China that could send additional floodwaters into Nepal. Residents in low-lying river areas have been urged to stay alert.
How did police identify and catch the suspects?
Police from the District Police Office, Chitwan , identified the suspects by examining the viral video that circulated on social media. The men were arrested near Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur Metropolitan City shortly after being identified.
