A government official has been out of contact for the last six months, leaving the family members at their wit’s end.

Forty-year-old Tirtharaj Ghimire, a joint secretary deputed at the Nepal Administrative Staff College (NASC) in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, “has been missing” since August 31 last year.

Ghimire of Bharatpur Sub-metropolis-28, Chitwan district, was living with his family in Karyabinayak-13, Chunikhel.

“Earlier, he used to teach in colleges. He passed the joint secretary exam nine months ago and started working in the staff college,” said 67-year-old Madhubilash, the father.

According to the family members, the last they saw Ghimire was on the morning of August 31 when he left home and took the staff college bus for his office.

“His cell phone was on till 9:30am. But later that day, when we tried to contact him, his phone was switched off,” said the father. “We have lodged a complaint with police.”

 “We hope our son will return home some day,” said an aggrieved Tilkumari, 59, with tears welling in her eyes.

Tirtharaj’s wife and two sons are living in Kathmandu.

Punya Prasad Neupane, executive director of the NASC, said they have informed the minister, chief secretary and police about the incident. “He was a good employee,” he said.