The high-level Nepal Police panel on Monday interrogated nine police officials including SP Dilli Raj Bista in connection with the rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Pant of Kanchanpur in July.

The government had formed a nine-member panel led by Deputy Inspector General Dhiru Basnyat to look into the role of police officers who oversaw a widely criticised investigation process. The Basnyat panel took over the former committee led by SSP Uttam Subedi.

Sources said the new panel is preparing to interrogate 16 police officials who were involved in the preliminary investigation into the rape and murder case. All the 16 officials have been called to the Police Headquarters in Kathmandu for the probe.

“Those interrogated on Monday were asked about their role in the probe, how they conducted the investigation and why they had failed to find the culprits,” said the source.

According to Nepal Police Spokesperson Shailesh Thapa, the panel will quiz all those who are directly involved in the preliminary investigation. If required, the panel will also undertake polygraph tests of the police officials.

SP Bista, then the Kanchanpur Police chief, was the first officer to be suspended for misleading the probe. (PR)