Miscellaneous
KC does U-turn, returns to probe panel
In a new twist to the Kanchanpur rape and murder case, Birendra KC, a member of the government panel investigating the rape and murder of a teenage girl has agreed to return to the panel two days after resigning.In a new twist to the Kanchanpur rape and murder case, Birendra KC, a member of the government panel investigating the rape and murder of a teenage girl has agreed to return to the panel two days after resigning.
KC, under secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law in Province 7, had resigned from the Home Ministry’s five-member panel on Monday citing security threat.
On Wednesday, KC issued a press statement stating he was joining the panel again. In a press meet held at Home Ministry on Wednesday, KC said he decided to rejoin the panel after a two-hour meeting with Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa.
Sources said KC had met Home Minister Thapa, Nepal Police IGP Sarbendra Khanal and probe panel coordinator Hari Prasad Mainali in the last two days.
During the press meet, KC said Minister Thapa had assured him that he could put forth his views at the panel without fear.
“I had two-hour-long meeting with Home Minister Thapa. We share same concerns—Nirmala should get justice,” he said.
KC had expressed discontent over the panel in which, he said, his suggestions and opinions were rarely valued. “I had time and again voiced my concerns regarding the ramifications this case could encounter if the panel failed to submit the enquiry report on time, but my advice was not heeded,” he said.
KC announced on Monday that he was no longer part of the inquiry, for he felt threatened from those actively trying to undermine the probe. He had suggested that a powerful group could be involved in the case and that Nirmala’s family may not get justice.
The body of Nirmala Panta was found in a sugarcane field in Bhimdutta Munciapality-18, Kanchanpur, on July 27, a day after she was reported missing.
On August 23, the Home Ministry had formed the panel to investigate into Nirmala’s death, as well as scrutinise police investigation.
The panel had told the media in Kanchanpur on Saturday that police had botched the investigation.