The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on Sunday made public Man Raj Gurung, 30, and Pramesh Chauhan, 28, on the charge of murdering Hemanta Shrestha and his wife Anjali.

Police said Gurung and Chauhan had killed the Shrestha couple living in a rented apartment in a house belonging to Geeta Khadka in Ranibari by assaulting them with a sharp edged weapon on July 15, 2002.

Their daughter Aagyashree had also sustained serious injuries in the incident. Deputy Inspector General of Police Hemanta Malla Thakuri, said evidence from informants, analysis of call details and polygraph test, among others, show that the duo was involved in the gruesome murder, infamously termed “Ranibari case”.

“The arrestees are not cooperating in the investigation. However, they have failed the polygraph test,” Thakuri said. Polygraph test figures out whether a person who undergoes the test is lying or speaking the truth.

According to Thakuri, the duo was given Rs 200,000 to kill house owner Khadka who was a manpower agent. They had also observed the house on the pretext of renting a room before committing the crime.

“One had to pass through the flat of Shrestha to get to Khadka’s room. On the day the couple was murdered, the duo first hacked Hemanta and then her wife. Their daughter who sustained injuries, however, managed to escape,” Thakuri said.

He said the murderers, after killing the couple, had gone to the next floor searching for Khadka. “She had, however, locked herself inside the bathroom. These guys tried to break it, but to no avail. Fearing that they would be caught, they fled the scene,” he said.

Police investigation shows that on May 31 2003, Gurung had killed Lila Maya Giri, a manpower owner, after her husband paid him Rs 600,000. He was arrested later and was sentenced to jail for eight years. “We are still trying to figure out the exact person who paid the sum for the murder and motive behind it,” Thakuri said, adding, “But what we are certain is that these two had executed the murder plan.”