Opposition lawmakers at  the National Assembly (NA) attacked the government on Tuesday after a member resigned from the panel probing the rape and murder of Nirmala Panta, citing threats to him and his family.

They demanded answers from the government why Birendra KC was compelled to resign from the five-member panel formed by the Home Ministry to investigate the 13-year-old girl’s murder in Kanchanpur district. KC is Under Secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law in Province 7.

Addressing the Upper House on Tuesday Nepali Congress lawmaker Badri Pandey asked what would be the state of the public in the country when a senior government official not feel safe.

KC had announced his resignation from the probe panel at a press conference on Monday. People actively undermining the probe had threatened him, he said.

He told journalists that he and his family members could be killed if he continued to be a part of the investigation panel.

While announcing the resignation KC had appealed to National Human Rights Commission and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure his and his family’s safety.

 “This is an extremely serious issue. The Minister for Home Affairs should immediately clarify to the House,” Pandey told the NA. He blamed the government for lingering the investigation process.

KC’s resignation has further derailed the process. Its 47 days since the rape and murder of Nirmala, but there is no progress in arresting the culprit. She was found raped and murdered in a sugarcane field in Bhimdutta Munciapality-18, Kanchanpur, on July 27, a day after she was reported missing.

Addressing the House another lawmaker Nanda Chapai said the delay in arresting the culprit clearly depicts the weakness of the government.

She demanded all three tiers of the government should work in cohesion to deliver justice to the victims as soon as possible.

KC suggested a powerful group could be involved in the case and Nirmala’s family may not get justice.