The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has started its investigation into an alleged murder of Laxmi Pariyar of Sano Bangthali-7, Kavre. The body of Laxmi, 32,was found in her house on Friday. Police report states that she had sustained injuries in her face and there were traces of blood around the house.

A team from the NHRC inquired Laxmi’s relatives, neighbours and police about the incident on Monday.

According to Laxmi’s 10-year-old son, five days prior to her death, she was assaulted by Hira Tamang, a local school teacher, and his mother, Kaili, over witchcraft allegation. Hira and Kaili, who are currently in police custody, had also allegedly force-fed human faeces to Laxmi.

Kanchhi Tamang, a local woman who had witnessed the incident, said that Hira and Kaili were angry at Laxmi for calling names and uttering profanities. The witchcraft story is untrue, she claimed.

The case had to be settled by police on Thursday, a day before Laxmi was found dead. The settlement, however, had nothing to do with Laxmi being assaulted. Instead, she was accused of beating a buffalo owned by Kaili and ordered to pay Rs 6,000 fine.

Laxmi’s relatives claim that police had forced her into accepting the charge and the fine. On Thursday night, Laxmi and her husband, Milan, had had a fight.

Milan, who is being held as suspect in Laxmi’s death, has admitted to beating her that night but denied involvement in her death. It was Milan who had reported police about his wife’s death.