Arabinda Lal Das, 28 and Pawan Kumar Mishra, 17, of Piprabirta-3 were arrested on charges of murdering the minor after rape, said police. Pawan’s uncle Madan Kumar Mishra, 37, of the same place was also arrested for his alleged involvement in concealing the crime. The two accused were staying in Kalaiya in their rented rooms when they were arrested.

Police made them public by organising a press meet here in the district on Wednesday. The girl was raped and subsequently murdered in Kalaiya-8 on November 8. The perpetrator took the child into a bush behind Kalaiya Hospital and assaulted her. The incident occurred as the victim was on her way to a shop from her house to buy noodles at around 7pm. Police and local residents found her in the bush later in an unconscious state. The victim was naked and bleeding. Doctors at Narayani Sub-regional Hospital in Birgunj declared her dead upon arrival.

Arabinda is a former employee at district election office while Pawan is a student. Madan, according to police, had served jail term on various charges in the past.

SP Lokendra Bahadur Malla said that investigation into the case is underway after taking the suspects into judicial custody. “The police investigation reveals that Arabinda and Pawan murdered the girl after rape,” he said.

Meanwhile, the family members of the arrested trio have claimed that police are trying to frame innocent people. Organising a press meet, they  said the security personnel intimidated the three and forced them to confess to the crime.