Two police officers suspended for alleged mishandling of the investigation of rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta in Kanchanpur on Thursday submitted their second clarifications to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).

The MoHA on Wednesday had sought second clarifications from SP Dilli Raj Bista and Inspector Jagadish Bhatta on why MoHA should not take action against them. The ministry has begun process to sack the suspended officers on the recommendation of a probe committee formed by the MoHA and Nepal Police Headquarters.

The high-level probe committee under Director General at the Department of Prison Management Hari Prasad Mainali had recommended departmental action against Bista and Bhatta for their dubious role and a series of lapses in the investigation following the incident.  They have also been accused of failing to perform their responsibilities and destroying the evidences.

According to Nepal Police Act, the Home Secretary has the right to dismiss police officers from the post of Inspector to SP on the recommendation of Inspector General of Nepal Police.

Earlier on Wednesday, SP Bista and Inspector Bhatta had submitted their first clarification letters to the MoHA.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday received separate clarifications in writing from suspended Kanchanpur Police Chief Dilip Raj Bista and Inspector Jagdish Bhatta in which they duo denied their negligence in the investigation of teen girl’s rape and murder case.

On October 15, Inspector General (IG) Sarbendra Khanal had recommended the ministry to dismiss both officers for their doubtful role in tampering with the evidence in the rape and murder.

SP Bista is accused of parading innocent and mentally ill Dilip Singh Bista, 41, as the main suspect.

It has been almost three months since Nirmala was found dead on July 27. Nepal Police are yet to identify the rapists and murderers in the controversial case where police officers are under as much scrutiny as the suspects.

As the investigation and probe protracted for so long, there was a massive public outcry and mass protests with civil rights activists joining the fight demanding justice to Nirmala.