A 16-year-old woman has been allegedly murdered by her brother-in-law in Kailali just 16 days after giving birth.

Tulasi Nath of Kailashpur in ward 7 of Gauriganga Municipality was allegedly killed by her 20-year-old brother-in-law, Navin Nath, late Thursday night following a domestic dispute, according to local police.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Ran Bahadur Chand, chief of the Area Police Office, Malakheti, said tensions had been building in the household. The extended family lived together and struggled with financial hardship. Tulasi’s husband works as a labourer in Pune, India, while Nabin and his wife live at home.

According to the investigation, the conflict escalated on Thursday when Tulasi returned from a health post after taking her newborn for vaccination and found no food had been saved for her. She reportedly commented that her husband was the breadwinner, but was still not treated fairly, angered Nabin.

“Nabin had been under stress, and the remark about not contributing financially triggered him,” Chand said. That night, he allegedly entered her room around midnight and strangled her to death.

After the killing, Nabin reportedly dumped the body in a nearby drain in front of the house. The family and neighbours discovered it the following morning. While there were no visible bruises or other injuries, her earrings were missing, and her necklace was found discarded nearby the body.

During police questioning, Nabin confessed to the murder, Chand said. The infant has been placed under protective care.