The Police Headquarters had sought clarification from Singh allegedly for not initiating action against a man accused of raping a mentally ill woman at Salyantar in the district. DSP Singh requested Gautam, who was about to return to Kathmandu after attending a regional convention organised by the CPN-UML in the district, on Saturday. A journalist said DSP Singh urged the minister to help him by taking initiatives to save him. According to a security official, UML district chairman Khem Lohani also told Gautam that Singh was innocent.

Regional Police Office had started an investigation after a news report was published by the Kantipur daily stating that the rape victim’s health report allegedly went missing from the District Police Office.

Various human rights organisations are also investigating into the case.