A Tharu leader was murdered by his son in Chitwan on Tuesday.

Fifty-five-year-old Jibanram Mahato, regional chairman of Tharu Kalyankarini Sabha, was assaulted by his son Bishwanath Mahato, 25, at Dibyanagar-3. “Bishwanath attacked his father with a khurpa [sharp weapon],” said DSP Rajan Adhikari.

Seriously injured Jibanram died while being taken to Bharatpur for treatment. Police said they arrested Bishwanath following the incident. According to local residents, Bishwanath was psychologically unstable and had gone missing for the past five days. He was found in Madi and brought home on Monday. He was Jiranram’s only son.

“Bishwanath chased his father and assaulted him with the weapon on head and other body parts,” Adhikari said.

He said the body has been kept at Bharatpur Hospital for post-mortem and an investigation into the incident has been initiated.