US-Deported Bhutanese Refugee Found Dead in Damak Hotel

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Jhapa — A Bhutanese refugee recently deported from the United States was found dead at a hotel in Damak on Sunday, 17 August 2025.

The deceased has been identified as Sanjil Rai, originally from the Bhutanese refugee camp in Jhapa. Hotel staff at Pardeshi Hotel and Lodge, located at Phalgunanda Chowk, Damak-3, discovered him unconscious inside room number 201 after he failed to answer repeated calls.

A bottle of pesticide, branded Gugli, was recovered from the room. Rai was immediately rushed to Lifeline Hospital, Damak, where doctors pronounced him dead during treatment.

According to police, Rai had reportedly come to Damak to meet Manila Chamling Rai, a local resident. Investigators suspect he consumed the pesticide, though the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

Authorities have confirmed that Rai had been deported from the United States, but details regarding the timing and port of entry remain unclear. His family is currently residing in the US.

Police said further investigation is underway to determine the motive and verify the sequence of events leading to Rai’s death.