Manisha Gharti Magar, sister of national footballer Bimal Gharti Magar, was found dead in mysterious circumstances at her home in Bardaghat Municipality, Nawalparasi, on Thursday morning.

Superintendent of Police Rajendra Chaudhary said there were marks around the victim’s neck and that blood stains were spotted in the room where she was found dead. Victim’s mother, who had gone to Butwal the previous day, had found the 17-year-old dead in her room when she arrived home at around 5:30am on Thursday. According to police, preliminary investigation shows Manisha had an affair with a local boy, Rudra Narayan Chaudhary, for the last four years.

Rudra, 22, had come to Manisha’s house on Wednesday morning, according to neighbours. Family sources said Manisha’s brother Bimal, who is in Belgium, is returning home on Friday.

“They were pretty close to each other,” said a neighbour. “They were like friends.” Police have taken Rudra into custody for investigation.

As per Rudra’s statement given to police and his Facebook status, Rudra and Manisha had had a dispute recently.

“I had gone to her house after drinking a bottle of beer. We had a dispute over my Facebook status. I also beat her up after she slapped me,” Rudra told police during interrogation. “I slept outside her house. I saw her hanging from the ceiling using a shawl when I woke up at around 11pm.” Rudra told police that he had taken out the shawl but Manisha was already dead.

Investigating officials have found the victim’s shawl near a petrol pump.

According to Rudra, he had returned home at around 11:30pm to inform his mother about the incident but his mother told him to run away fearing his arrest.

Police have sent Rudra and Manisha’s cell phones to Kathmandu for to trace the call details.

Manisha recently appeared in Grade XI board exam. Rudra has not passed school leaving certificate exam.

Police have sent the body to TU Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.