Police on Sunday arrested a man from Trauma Hospital in Kathmandu for his alleged involvement in the death of his friend.

Forty-six-year old Manish Kunwar Khadgi was detained in connection to the death of Arun Chitrakar of Kathmandu Ward No. 19.

Forty-five-year old Chitrakar had died of multiple stab wounds on Saturday evening. He was declared dead on arrival by the doctors at Trauma Centre. DSP Hobindra Bogati, the spokesperson for Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range, said Chitrakar was brought to the Trauma Centre by Khadgi himself.

Police investigation later found out that it was Khadgi who had attacked Chitrakar in an apparent drunken rage.

“Our investigation has revealed that Khadgi had fatally stabbed Chitrakar when they got into a dispute while drinking together,” Bogati told the Post.

Both Khadgi and Chitrakar used to work as painters.

Chitrakar has admitted to the crime. He is currently being held in custody of the Metropolitan Police Sector.

“Khadgi will be tried for murder,” Bogati said.

Nepal Police recorded 29,081 murder incidents across the country between the fiscal year 2015/16 and 2018/19.

The fiscal year 2018/19 saw the highest number of murder cases at 6,233, according to the police data.

“Most of the murders reported to Nepal Police were committed by the close family members, neighbours, and persons known by the victims,” said SSP Uttam Raj Subedi, the chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range. “Illicit affairs and suspicion about infidelity were among the major reasons behind many murder incidents in Nepal.”

The number of murder cases where perpetrators are under the influence of drugs and alcohol or suffering from mental disorders is also significantly high in the country, Subedi added.