The National Human Rights Commission has expressed its serious concern over the death of Bhagrathi Bhatta of Dogadakedar Rural Municipality in Baitadi district.

The 17-year-old girl was found dead, allegedly after rape, on Thursday.

According to family members, Bhagrathi, a 12th grader at Sanatan Dharma Secondary School in the district, had gone to school on Wednesday but never returned home.

“The Provincial Office of the commission in Dhangadhi has launched an investigation, starting from the site where the body was found,” reads a statement issued by the commission on Sunday. “The commission has also sought details from the District Police Office, Baitadi on the latest statue of the ongoing investigation.”

The commission has also urged the Nepal government to conduct a fair and effective investigation into the matter and book the culprit(s) at the earliest possible.

The constitutional human rights watchdog has also urged the government to protect the witnesses during the investigation and be careful while collecting evidence.

“The commission also urges the government to provide relief to the victim’s family,” reads the statement.

Locals and different political parties also have drawn the government’s attention to the heinous crime and conclude the investigation swifty so as to bring the culprit(s) to book.

Along with the provincial police, a team from the Central Investigation Bureau also has been deployed to Biatadi to assist in the investigation.