Amid criticism from different quarters including parliamentarians, the government has reiterated its commitment to booking the culprits in the rape and murder case of 13-year-old Nirmala Pant of Kanchanpur as recommended by the probe committee.

Minister for Law and Justice Bhanubhakta Dhakal made the pledge at the House of Representatives on Thursday after the opposition Nepali Congress obstructed the session charging the government with trying to meddle in the investigation process. NC lawmakers demanded justice for the victim’s family.

The session resumed in 10 minutes, after the opposition agreed to allow the House business if a minister responded to their concerns. Minister Dhakal then said the government had taken the concerns seriously and that the culprits would not be spared at any cost.

“The probe panel is set to submit its report soon. The government will provide justice for the victim as per its recommendation,” Dhakal told the House, adding that Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa would inform the House in detail on Friday.

The government, in the last week of July, formed a five-member committee led by Joint-secretary Hari Prasad Mainali to look into the matter.

Immediately after the House session began, NC lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu accused the government of trying to derail the investigation process. Fifty days since the incident, there has been no substantial progress in arresting individuals committing the heinous crime. “The government mechanism is trying to cover up the incident rather than finding the truth,” he said before obstructing the session.

Pant’s parents are in the Capital to press the government to expedite the investigation process and to deliver justice. In the second session of Parliament, lawmakers from the ruling parties asked the government what had kept it from nailing the culprit. “People’s faith in the administration could erode if justice is not delivered on time,” Nepal Communist Party lawmaker Binda Pandey warned. (PR)