A businessman in Biratnagar died by suicide after failing in his business ventures.

According to Morang Police, 57-year-old Mohan Neupane, who had been operating an electrical shop, hanged himself in his bathroom on Wednesday.

A suicide note by Neupane addressing his father, mother and wife mentions that his business slowed down following the Covid-19 pandemic. The business was further hit by high interest rates of banks and financial institutions, reads the note. He was not in a condition to clear loans.

Neupane of Biratnagar Metropolitan City-3 has mentioned that he owes Rs17.5 million to financial institutions.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Shrestha, also the spokesperson for Morang District Police Office, said more facts will be revealed after the post-mortem report.

Neupane had shared details of his non-performing business venture with his neighbour, who is also a businessman, saying that his business had come to a standstill; he had failed to recover payments and the bank had warned to auction his property.

Shankar Pokharel, chairman of the Electrical Association of Biratnagar, said most businesses affiliated with the association have been failing. “A total of 120 businessmen are affiliated with the association and most of them are going through a serious financial crunch as the business has slowed down,” he said.

The Biratnagar incident comes on the heels of a similar incident in Kathmandu on January 24. Prem Prasad Acharya, a businessman, set himself on fire in front of the Parliament building at New Baneshwar, Kathmandu on Tuesday. Videos circulating on social media after the incident showed that Acharya ran to the middle of the road while Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal was just leaving the Parliament with a motorcade and set himself on fire.

Acharya was rushed to the Kirtipur-based burns hospital but it was too late as he had burn injuries in 80 percent of his body, doctors said. He was pronounced dead early in the morning on Wednesday.

Acharya, originally from Ilam, had written a long note on Facebook, describing his struggle as a businessman in Nepal, pointing out the wrongdoings of reputed business houses and also the state’s failure to monitor them. Acharya detailed his struggle to solve his financial problems and offered a list of suggestions to ensure good governance in the country.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the following helplines.

Nepal Mental Hospital suicide hotline: 1166

Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital suicide prevention hotline: 9840021600:

Patan Hospital crisis helpline for suicide prevention: 9813476123

The Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation: 16600102005