Journalist Dinesh Sitaula, who suddenly fainted while reaching Achham along with senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Balendra Shah (Balen) during an election campaign, has passed away. Grande Hospital issued a statement saying that Sitaula passed away at 12:45 pm on Sunday.

Sitaula, who suddenly fell unconscious in Bangapata, Mangalsen Municipality-4, was initially taken to the District Hospital. After treatment was not possible there, he was taken to Grande Hospital in Kathmandu by a Nepal Army helicopter.

Balen was scheduled to reach the party office in Beech Bazaar, Mangalsen, the district headquarters, at 9 am on Friday. That is why the leaders, workers and supporters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were gathering there. But Balen's team bypassed the party office and headed straight to the District Hospital. Because Sitaula, who was in the tour team, suddenly fell unconscious in Bangapata, Mangalsen Municipality-4, on Friday morning, he was taken to the District Hospital in Achham.

Sitaula, a resident of Tokha in Kathmandu, had reached Achham as a member of Balen's team.

According to Dr. Kamlesh Yadav, the head of District Hospital Achham, Sitaula's condition was critical when he was brought to the hospital. ‘He was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital. There was no blood pressure, his body was cold and he was not even breathing,’ Dr. Yadav said, ‘It could only be confirmed after a CT scan. It was suspected that he had a blood clot due to a head injury. Since treatment was not possible at the district hospital, he had to be referred.’

As soon as information about the incident was received, Achham Chief District Officer Yagyaraj Budha said that Sitaula was sent to Kathmandu via Surkhet by a Nepali Army helicopter at 9:30 am on Friday.

After being taken to Grande Hospital in Kathmandu, his treatment began by keeping him in the intensive care unit (ICU). According to a doctor involved in the treatment, Sitaula has been confirmed to have a brain hemorrhage. ‘He was initially given CPR (primary life-saving treatment to restart the heart and breathing) for about 45 minutes. A blood clot was seen due to a ruptured blood vessel in the brain,’ the doctor said.

Balen met Sitaula on Saturday morning after reaching the hospital.

While leaving after having tea at the house of Balen's aide Bhupdev Shah, Sitaula fell and injured his head. 'Balenji was behind him. His friends gave him CPR on the spot. He was taken to the hospital in an unconscious state,' he said. Sitaula was part of Balen's team as a team member rather than a journalist.

The vehicle of his team, including Sitaula, broke down, said Prakash Bista, the president of the Sudurpaschim Pradesh Congress Committee, who was sitting in Falasain, Bajura, on Saturday night. 'The vehicle broke down in Khaptad Chhede Daha in Bajura. Sitaulaji and ours were in two vehicles together. I, Bhupdevji and Arjun Ghimire (Pande) ji were together,' he said, 'Sitaulaji was in the journalist's vehicle. Balenji had already left from Bajhang, they came to Achham from Doti, we went to Achham from Bajura.’