Kathmandu — Renukumari Mahato, the Deputy Mayor of Gaushala Municipality in Mahottari, has alleged that she was barred from entering her office on the orders of Mayor Dr. Dipendra Mahato.

According to Mahato, she was stopped at the municipal gate by municipal police on Tuesday morning while attempting to enter the office. The main gate of the office was reportedly locked, leaving the Deputy Mayor waiting outside. It has been reported that the gate was sealed by municipal police at the direction of the Mayor.

Deputy Mayor Mahato, who is an elected representative, criticized the move, calling it an act of “hooliganism” and a violation of democratic norms. In a video statement, she expressed her dissatisfaction and accused the Mayor of acting against the dignity of elected officials.

Sources say the incident follows a recent dispute where the Deputy Mayor took control of official registers, suspecting irregularities due to blank entries in the document log (Darta-Chalani). She accused Mayor Mahato and Chief Administrative Officer Keshav Adhikari of colluding in the alleged malpractice.

Although a meeting of the municipal executive was scheduled for 8:00 AM on Tuesday, Mahato, who arrived at around 8:30 AM, stated that she was denied entry into the office. “The atmosphere seemed tense, so I returned,” she said. “Even during regular office hours, I was not allowed to enter.”

She has appealed to local residents for support and demanded an impartial investigation into the matter. Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were elected from the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP).