The body of a 16-year-old girl from Surkhet has remained in the morgue of Karnali Province Hospital for 18 days after her family refused to collect it, demanding an impartial investigation into her death.

The family of Inisa BK has objected to the postmortem report and has refused to accept the body, demanding a ‘credible and transparent investigation’ into the death.

Inisa had gone to school on March 7 when she was found unconscious in a forest area and rescued by the police. On the same day, a 16-year-old boy was detained on charges of alleged rape. Based on his statement, police arrested three more juveniles on March 8 for further investigation.

The incident has triggered protests and public pressure in several parts of the country, with calls for justice for the victim. Her parents have accused police of delaying efforts to establish the actual circumstances of her death, 18 days after the incident.

Immediately after the incident, the victim’s family filed a complaint alleging gang rape and murder, registering cases of homicide and rape against all four detained juveniles.

Following the family’s complaint, a team of forensic experts led by Arbin Shakya from Bheri Hospital, Banke, conducted the postmortem at the provincial hospital. According to police, the report stated that Inisa died due to excessive bleeding caused by severe injury to her private parts following forced sexual contact.

The victim’s family has rejected the findings. Inisa’s mother, Tila, said they had doubts about the report from the outset. “I do not trust the report. I saw my daughter in that condition, so I have doubts about the postmortem findings,” she said. “It is not just this report. If the other reports also come out the same, we will be forced to protest.”

Her father, Indra Bahadur, who returned from India after her death, said repeated delays in receiving reports have deepened the family’s uncertainty. “It has already been 18 days since her death, yet they keep saying the reports are still coming,” he said. “They say the case will move forward only after all the reports arrive.”

He said the family has not received clear updates on the investigation. “The situation is becoming more confusing. There is no clarity on what has actually been investigated,” he said.

The District Police Office, Surkhet, said the investigation is in its final stage. Superintendent of Police Sudhirraj Shahi said forensic reports would arrive within a few days. Police said toxicology, viscera and bioserological reports are still awaited. Police added that the case will proceed once all remaining reports are received.

Police said the investigation is being conducted using technical and forensic evidence, with support from multiple units, including the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Shahi said misinformation circulating on social media has complicated the investigation and increased pressure on both the family and investigators.

In his statement to police, the detained juvenile claimed he and Inisa had consensual physical relations and denied allegations of gang rape. He said they had gone to a forest area near Shahid Park in Birendranagar after mutual planning. He added that Inisa began bleeding heavily after the incident and became unresponsive. He said he panicked, contacted friends, and local residents were informed.

Police said CCTV footage shows the two walking together in a forest area in Birendranagar earlier that day.