Even as the government sacked then Kanchanpur police chief SP Dilli Raj Bista and Inspector Jagadish Prasad Bhatta on Thursday for mishandling preliminary investigation, the July rape and murder of Nirmala Pant remains a mystery with culprits yet to be traced.

Since the local police unit destroyed evidence at the scene where Nirmala’s body was recovered in Bhimdutta Municipality on July 27, authorities have got no substantial evidence that could lead to those guilty of raping and murdering the 13-year-old.

“Teams either visit the site repeatedly in search of leads or call people to the police station for further investigation. Regarding evidence, there’s none at the moment,” said a Nepal Police source.On the one hand, the sluggish pace of investigation has delayed justice for Nirmala and her parents. On the other, the government decision to sack the two suspended officers, giving them the chance of serving in a government unit again in future, has raised suspicions of the government’s commitment to delivering justice to the victim and punishing those tampering with vital evidence.

The duo, along with two dozen other police officials, has been accused of ruining the initial investigation.Home Ministry Spokes-person Ram Krishna Subedi said that the decision to sack the two making them eligible for government service in future was in line with the existing laws.

The Home Ministry cited Clause (1) of Sub-Rule (2) of Rule 109 of the Nepal Police Regulations-2071BS, which holds that the sacked officers qualify for government services in future. Clause (2) of Sub-Rule (2) of Rule 109 of the regulations provisions the sacking of an officer, disqualifying him/her for future stints at a government office.

Also read:Police officers investigating Nirmala Panta rape and murder case have been sacked for mishandling case

The report submitted by a probe team led by Joint-secretary Hari Prasad Mainali, along with preliminary briefing by AIG Dhiru Basnyat after studying the case and field visit by Inspector General Sarbendra Khanal, had led the Nepal Police to recommend the duo’s sacking.

The ministry stated on Friday that the police had failed to meet the minimum requirements of investigation and had destroyed evidence of the crime. According to the police force, the reasons behind the dubious activities of the officers will be revealed once the AIG Basnyat-led panel submits its investigation report.

Speaking to the Post, AIG Basnyat said, “We are probing the accused officials to find the motive behind their dubious roles. We are trying to gather strong evidence.”

In their clarifications that failed to satisfy their bosses, Bista and Bhatta said their acts after the crime were random ones, without having any serious purpose of jeopardising the investigation.All the accused officials were recalled to the Police Headquarters but Bista and Bhatta have left after their dismissal. Of the 24 personnel still reporting to Naxal, six are suspended members of the force.

“The duo should report when asked by the probe team for further investigation as interrogation is not over,” Central Police Spokesperson SSP Uttam Raj Subedi told the Post.The duo could face action under the Criminal Code if AIG Basnyat concludes that they tempered with the evidence on purpose.