Former Nepal First Lady Who Was Injured In Arson Attack Remains Critical: Hospital

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 12:40 IST

Nepal was rocked by Gen Z–led protests sparked by a short-lived social-media ban and anger over corruption, triggering curfews and army deployment as clashes intensified

Nepal’s former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal (R) and his wife Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar Khanal (L) faced attacks from protesters. Rabi Laxmi was rumoured dead but is alive and recovering from injuries

Nepal’s former first lady Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, who was injured in arson attack by protesters, remains in critical condition, according to hospital authorities.

The wife of CPN(S) leader and former Jhala Nath Khanal was initially believed to have died after sustaining burn injuries. The rumours were later told as untrue.

The Kathmandu Post quoted officials at Kirtipur Hospital as saying that her health condition is stable but critical. “Her condition is critical and as it was at the time she was brought in for treatment,” said Dr Kiran Nakarmi, director at the hospital, told the Post on Wednesday.

The NepalPress report said that a section of the Gen Z agitators had set ablaze Jhalanath’s house in Dallu. When the attack happened, the former PM was outside, but his wife was home. She sustained severe burn injuries as she could not escape on time.

Former party leader and former minister Jeevan Ram Shrestha said that she was at home with her son, Nirbhik Khanal, when the protestors started the fire. She was first taken to Nepali Army Hospital in Chhauni where she was treated at the Intensive Care Unit and later transferred to the Kirtipur Hospital for further treatment.

According to The Kathmandu Post, 27 people were injured in the protests of whom most have been discharged.

“Only a few remain in the hospital,” said Nakarmi, the hospital director. “Most have been discharged.”

Nepal was rocked by Gen Z–led protests sparked by a short-lived social-media ban and long-simmering anger over corruption, triggering curfews and army deployment as clashes intensified in Kathmandu and other cities. Authorities have now reopened Kathmandu airport after a brief shutdown, but prohibitory orders remain in force as the situation evolves.

The Kathmandu Post reported that the number of deceased in the protests has reached 31 in the Kathmandu Valley. While preliminary identities of 25 deceased individuals have been identified, the identities of five males and one female are yet to be established.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah appealed to Nepal’s Gen Z and the wider public on Thursday to remain calm as the country transitions to an interim administration and fresh elections.

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