The body of Bipin Joshi, a 24-year-old from Kanchanpur who lost his life while held captive by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was brought to his home on Monday night—coinciding with the festival of Tihar—two years after his abduction.

When the coffin arrived late in the evening in a hearse from Dhangadhi Sub Metropolitan City, grief engulfed the entire neighbourhood. Bipin’s father, Mahananda, mother, Padma, and sister, Pushpa, broke down as the coffin was carried into the courtyard. Relatives and neighbours could not hold back their tears.

Pushpa had spent the past two years pleading, “Please bring my brother home for Tihar—I will put tika on him.” This year, as Tihar lights brightened homes across the country, darkness and silence prevailed in Bichpuri, their neighbourhood in Bhimdatta Municipality-3. Locals said no one lit festive lamps or performed Laxmi Puja, as the entire community mourned.

“Today, the whole village is in mourning—how could we celebrate Tihar?” said local resident Ravi Chand. “Those who had lit lights last night have switched them off today.”

Bipin’s body was flown from Israel to Kathmandu on Monday afternoon. Then a Nepali Army Sky Truck transported it to Dhangadhi, and then taken home by a hearse. His final rites are scheduled to be held on Tuesday at the Mahakali River.

Israeli Ambassador Smulik Aray and staff from the embassy also visited the Joshi residence on Monday night to pay their respects and meet the family.

For the past two years, Bipin’s mother and sister had been appealing to world leaders to secure his release. They travelled to Israel and the United States, meeting the Israeli President and prime minister, and later United Nations officials, urging for his safe return. Despite repeated requests to Nepali authorities, the family said no meaningful progress was made.

The Israeli authorities earlier this month said that he was murdered in captivity during the first months of the war.

Joshi was among 49 agriculture students from Sudurpaschim University who had travelled to Israel under the “Learn and Earn” programme two years ago. Within weeks of their arrival, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing ten Nepali students and taking Joshi hostage.

His death was confirmed last week after Hamas handed over his body to Israel following a ceasefire agreement.