The nine-member probe team led by Additional Inspector General (AIG) Dhiru Basnyat has started conducting polygraph (lie-detector) test on police officers who allegedly mishandled the evidence while investigating the rape and murder of Nirmala Pant of Bhimdutta Municipality in Kanchanpur district.

The team is investigating 23 officers who were involved in the preliminary investigation of Pant’s rape and murder case, including those suspended for their dubious role in protecting the culprits.

Speaking to the Post, Nepal Police Spokesperson SSP Shailesh Thapa Kshetri said, “After a series of interrogations, the probe team decided to conduct polygraph test of some officers. Two officers have already sat through the test.”

Nirmala was found strangled to death after rape in a sugar cane field near her house on July 27. Local residents have accused police of protecting the culprits.

On September 15, the Home Ministry suspended DSP duo Gyan Bahadur Sethi and Angur GC, Inspector duo Ekendra Khadka and Jagadish Bhatta and Assistant Sub-inspector Ram Singh Dhami, following a report of five-member committee, led by Director General of the Department of Prison Management Hari Prasad Mainali.

Former chief of Kanchanpur Police, SP Dilli Raj Bista, is also among the suspended officers.

All suspended officers have been recalled to the Nepal Police Headquarters.

“The investigation is underway and the call details along with other details of the officers are being scrutinised,” said SSP Thapa.

Meanwhile, police are waiting for the DNA analysis report of suspended SP Bista, his son Kiran Bista, and Aayush Bista, the nephew of Bhimdutta Municipality Mayor Surendra Bista.

Their DNA samples were taken to verify with the samples collected from Nirmala.