National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the government to conduct a fair and scientific investigation into the rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta in Kanchanpur district, and book the culprit(s).

A joint team of the national human rights body’s central office and provincial office Dhangadi had conducted a monitoring and investigation of the rape and murder case. After holding discussions on the initial report of its investigation, the NHRC on Sunday sent a letter to the government with eight-point directive including conduction of a scientific and effective investigation into the case and immediate action against the culprit(s).

It said the victim’s family members were in despair and questions were raised over the credibility of the investigation by Nepal Police.

Body of Nirmala, 13, was found in a sugarcane field in Bhimdutta Municipality of Kanchanpur on July 27, a day after she was reported missing. Postmortem report showed the teenager had been raped and strangulated to death.

The rights body has drawn the government’s attention to ensure the rights of the victim’s family to get justice according to the constitution of Nepal.