Surkhet Police Arrest ‘Pathibhara Mata’ After Viral Video Shows Woman Assaulted Over Witchcraft Allegation

Kathmandu. Police in Surkhet have arrested Sameer Thapa, who is popularly known as “Pathibhara Mata,” after a video showing him assaulting and humiliating a woman accused of practicing witchcraft went viral on social media.

The District Police Office, Surkhet, took Thapa into custody after the footage surfaced online. In the video, he is seen grabbing a woman by the hair, dragging her, slapping her, and verbally abusing her in a public place. He also labels the woman a “witch,” orders her to bow at his feet, and publicly humiliates her.