Police have apprehended four people on charges of involvement in the death of a 16-year-old girl in Birendranagar, Surkhet.

The deceased, Inisha BK, a resident of Gurbhakot Municipality-6, Surkhet who had been living in Birendranagar-1, was a Grade 11 student at Usha Balbatika School. She died on March 7.

She was found unconscious in the Janajagaran Community Forest area in Birendranagar-4. Her relatives rushed her to the Provincial Hospital in Kalagaun for treatment, but doctors declared her dead.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Jung Budhathapa, spokesperson of the District Police Office, Surkhet, said that the victim’s family has filed a complaint alleging rape and homicide, suspecting that she was killed after gang-rape.

Police said a 16-year-old boy was arrested on the afternoon of March 7 following the incident. Three others were taken into custody on March 8 during further investigation.

Family members said that Inisha had left home at around 6 am, saying she was going to attend tuition classes. Police later found her unconscious in the community forest.

Police said the case is under investigation and that the exact cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem report is received.