It has been ten years since Chhori Maiya Maharjan disappeared. And now there are appeals for the case to be reopened. What has happened to Chhori Maiya Maharjan? Despite the fact that it has been ten years, we have been unable to find Chhori Maiya Maharjan. During the investigation, we came across through few people who were known to be prime suspect behind the disappearance they are Surakshya Singh alias Nikki and Deepak Malhotra.  Nikki was supposed to return NRs.50 Lakhs to Chhori Maiya.

 Chhori Maiya Maharjan has been sewing clothes in her home for the past 30 years. Chhori Maiya Maharjan, 52, went missing on February 28, 2012, after leaving her home to meet Surakshya Singh alias Nikki. Her daughter said they waited until 12, for their mother to arrive. Although Chhori Maiya received calls; her daughters couldn't hear her. The daughters of Chhori Maiya believed it was because her phone had been broken. But then one of her daughters received a Message from Chhori Maiya. “She was at Manakamana and will come home in 2-3 days,” the text stated. This is when things started to become a little suspicious. Chhori Maiya did not know how to use a cell phone, including how to text, according to her daughters. Chhori Maiya's clueless daughters phoned Nikki Singh and inquired about her mother. She advised them not to be concerned and not to call the police.

Nikki Singh refuted everything after a few days at Hanuman Dhoka during the inquiry, including the fact that she had to pay Rs 50 lakhs to Chhori Maiya; she claimed that Chhori Maiya's daughters were lying and blaming her. Nikki Singh was now suspected by Chhori  Maiya's daughters, and they were certain it was Nikki who had abducted their mother. In the first week of Chaitra, Chhori Maiya's daughter went to Nikki Singh's house and requested her to notify them about Chhori Maiya. They even told Nikki that they wouldn't tell the police about it. "You may be recording my words and you'll provide that audio to police," Nikki Singh said, denying informing Chhori Maiya's daughters anything about Chhori Maiya. They were shattered when the person they trusted and treated as if she were their mother deceived them. Despite their repeated pleadings, Nikki Singh refused to reveal anything about Chhori Maiya. Nikki had been arrested and was being held by the police. Meanwhile, Deepak Malhotra, a businessman and Nikki Singh's brother, raised hopes for Chhori Maiya's daughter, claiming he would take care of everything and that he knew a lot of influential people. Time passed by, no news regarding Chhori Maiya had surfaced. Deepak Malhotra continued to show hopes to Chhori Maiya's daughter, stating he would find her, but the situation turned out to be the complete opposite. In the newspapers, there were several misleading reports regarding Chhori Maiya. Deepak Malhotra was even persuading Chhori Maiya's daughters not to accuse Nikki Singh, and that he would refund them NRs 50 lakhs. According to the Daughters of Chhori Maiya, Deepak Malhotra asked them not to take legal action against Nikki Singh, and if they did, he threatened them, stating, "I know many strong people, and I will make sure I rescue my sister within 24 days."

The following were the key issues found in the case of Chhori Maiya:

1.    There has been an unexplained and frequent turnover of investigating officials.

2.    During the first three months since Chhori Maiya Maharjan disappeared, when it was easy for Nepal Telecom to track her, the police did not reveal or ask for her call and message location records.

3.    Amar Thapa, the Inspector, who was a member of the first investigative team, has not been called for investigation. He resigned after the case was filed.

4.    The police have not explained why Surakchya (Nikki) Singh's first statement was changed with a new one in court. It was because of this modified second statement that she was given bail.

Despite the fact that Deputy Head of Police Rabindra Dhanuk said that Surakshya (Nikki) Singh is the only genuine and primary suspect in the case, bail was granted. The Kathmandu District Court has filed a complaint accusing Nikki Singh of abduction. She was free on a $100,000 bail of NRs.

All of the above information is based on an interview with Chhori Maiya Maharjan's daughters and various website where we have been updated about Chhori Maiya. Despite the fact that there was a legal process involved in this case, we have yet to locate Chhori Maiya Maharjan. What happened to Chhori Maiya Maharjan? How is she doing? When will we have our answers? Despite the fact that it has been ten years, her daughters are still looking for her mother. It's horrible to lose your mother. Nobody can picture life without their mother. What are the circumstances of these helpless souls? Is it possible for us to see ourselves in that position and think about it?   Where has our government been for the past ten years since Chhori Maiya disappeared? This case was closed without any specific information, and her daughters are still unaware of their mother. What have they done since they lost their Mother? It is really awful to hear that it's been ten years. Why hasn't our government been able to locate Chhori Maiya yet? Citizens are demanding that this case should be reopened and answers to our questions must be provided. Let's not dismiss this case because it's been ten years; regardless of how long it's been, Chhori Maiya must be found or the case must be effectively closed with proper answers about Chhori Maiya since past 10 years to her family. Though we all may deny it; bribery is a key cause for Chhori Maiya's case not being solved. However, why would it take ten years to find someone?Why has Nikki not given any answers? Till when are we going to suffer.

This is not only about Chhori Maiya, hundreds of cases are there filed and none of them have been served with justice. Chhori Maiyas daughters and her family has been struggling since past 10 years. On behalf of Nepalese citizens, I request our government to reopen this case and give her family fair and proper answers. Finally, instead of involving any innocent people and spreading hateful comments and threats, let us work together to find answers to the question, "Where is Chhori Maiya Maharjan?"