Former chief of the Kanchanpur District Police Office SP Dilliraj Bista, who was dismissed on charge of tampering evidence and mishandling initial investigation into the rape and murder of Nirmala Pant, appeared at the Kanchanpur District Court on Tuesday.

The court started recording Bista’s statement soon after he presented himself at the court. “Recording statement on torture charge was completed today [Tuesday]. Hearing will begin soon after statements are recorded on both torture and evidence tampering charges,” said Harikrishna Awasthi, the registrar at the court. Bista has been taken into police custody and will remain in custody until the hearing is complete, added Awasthi.

On March 6, the Office of District Attorney lodged a case against eight police officials for their alleged involvement in torture and evidence destruction while investigating into Nirmala’s rape and murder case. Six of the accused officers, who were presented before the court, were later released on bail. However, Bista and suspended DSP Angur GC did not appear before the court then.

Police are still clueless about the culprit(s) even eight months after the gruesome murder.