Ride-Share Driver Dies After Self-Immolation Attempt in Kathmandu

Ganesh Nepali, a 25-year-old ride-share driver, has died while undergoing treatment at Bir Hospital after attempting self-immolation outside the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon after traffic authorities allegedly placed a wheel lock on his motorcycle over a parking violation. According to police, Nepali, a resident of Soru Rural Municipality-1, Mugu, siphoned petrol from his motorcycle, poured it over himself, and set himself on fire in an apparent act of extreme distress. Police officers at the scene immediately extinguished the flames and rushed him to Bir Hospital. However, doctors said he had suffered deep burns covering 55–60% of his body, including severe injuries to his face, head, neck, chest, and arms, along with significant damage to his respiratory tract. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment.