Police on Tuesday released Dilip Singh Bista, who was arrested 24 days ago to investigate into the rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta of Bagphant, Bhimdutta Munipality-19, as per the suggestion of district attorney.

As per the suggestion of district attorney, police released Bista, a mentally ill person, citing lack of proper evidence to keep him in custody and hand him over to his family members with a condition to produce him before the court if needed.

Bista was released after the sample of DNA taken from the crime scene did not match with his DNA, police said.

Along with Bista, Roshani Bam and Babita Bam, who were arrested on August 25, have also been released.

The Bam sisters were handed over to their family members with a condition to produce them before the court if required, SP Kuber Kadayat said.

Bista has been handed over to his elder brother Khadak Bista while Bam sisters were handed over to their father Narendra Bam.

The District Court, Kanchanpur, had also extended their remand to investigate into the rape and murder of Panta.

Bista was taken to Kathmandu for medical check-up as well.

During the medical check-up also, no evidence was found that he committed the crime, SP Kadayat said.

“They were released due to lack of evidence,” SP Kadayat said, adding, “They, however, will be in our surveillance. They will be arrested again if any evidences are found against them.”

Nirmala, a resident of Bhimdutta Municipality-2, was found lying on a sugarcane field in Bhimdutta-18 on July 27. A forensic report showed the victim was raped and strangulated to death.

Earlier report that stated "Kanchanpur district court ordered the release" has been corrected to "Released by police as per the suggestion of district attorney."