Update: Investigation reveals extramarital affair behind Janakpur hotel murder

Police investigation into the murder of 28-year-old Bimlesh Yadav, also known as Shani, from Mahottari, has found that an extramarital affair was likely the main reason behind his death.

Yadav was attacked with a knife and pushed from the first floor of Hotel SP & Guest House in Janakpur on Saturday night. Initial investigation suggests that the woman with him at the hotel, 24-year-old Juli Jha, was directly involved in the incident.

CCTV footage shows Yadav entering the hotel with Juli at 9:55 PM. About five hours later, at 2:57 AM, Yadav is seen falling from the first floor, naked and covered in blood. Five minutes later, the woman comes down, looks around, and walks away past the injured Yadav. The video shows police arriving shortly after and taking his statement. Yadav even walked himself into the ambulance. He died during treatment at the Provincial Hospital in Janakpur at 7:45 AM on Sunday.

Police arrested Juli Jha on Sunday afternoon. According to DSP Barun Bahadur Singh, the investigation is ongoing and mainly focused on her based on the CCTV footage. One officer said, “Our initial belief is that it may have been a planned murder.”

Yadav and Juli reportedly had a close relationship for over three years. Although Yadav was married with two children, both families were aware of the affair. A relative shared that two years ago, a complaint was filed with Mahottari District Police after the families found out about their conversations. Both sides agreed in writing not to communicate and even changed their phone numbers.

Yadav went abroad for work, but the two remained in contact. The relative also claimed that Yadav sent Juli about 2.7 million rupees while he was working abroad, and they have proof of the money transfers.

Six months ago, Yadav returned from Qatar. Juli had told him she wanted to end the relationship, but an argument broke out when Yadav asked her to return the money he had sent.

Police say they are investigating further based on conversations with Juli and her family, evidence from the hotel, and other clues. Yadav’s relatives have also raised concerns that the hotel CCTV footage was turned off for 17 seconds during a crucial moment. They have requested that the investigation be widened.