Parents of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta and rights activists who have been demanding justice for Nirmala said they would not rest until the government made public the culprit(s) who raped and murdered Nirmala on July 10. They also said since the government had sacked SP Dilli Raj Bista and Inspector Jagdish Raj Bhatta for mishandling the investigation, further investigation should start from them, as it was now obvious that they ‘deliberately misled the probe’. Talking to THT over telephone Nirmala’s mother Durga Devi Panta said, “Although the government has shown some degree of seriousness, we now demand that further investigation be started from the Bista and Bhatta duo as even the government has accepted that they misled the investigation.” “The government cannot avoid further investigation. It has to say why powerful officials of the district misled the investigation. After all, our only demand is that the culpirt (s) be made public.” Similarly, Nirmala’s father Yagya Raj Panta said they were less than satisfied with the government action. “Let the government not think that we will rest after today, we won’t stop till justice is provided for Nirmala.” Kanchanpur-based rights activist Sharada Chand also said now the government must start the investigation from the sacked police officers by asking why they misled the investigation. ............................................... Govt ousts suspended SP Bista, Inspector Bhatta from police service In line with recommendations forwarded by Nepal Police Headquarters seeking expulsion of former Superintendent of Police Dilli Raj Bista and Inspector Jagdish Bhatta accused of negligence and mishandling of evidence in investigation into Nirmala Panta’s rape and murder, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday has decided to expel them from police service. MoHA’s decision comes a day after Police HQ forwarded written clarification from Bista and Bhatta, which MoHA called “unsatisfactory” in a press statement issued today. However, both Bista and Bhatta would be eligible to hold government jobs in the future, MoHA stated. As per the statement, Police HQ had sought expulsion of both suspended SP and Inspector under Police Regulations 2071, recommending the government to hold the duo accountable for gross negligence and for going against norms of lawful investigation. In its solicitation, Police HQ had held the duo responsible for denting trust of victim’s kin and public in actions and behavior of law enforcement officials while accusing Bista and Bhatta of serious counts of unethical activities aimed at foiling the investigation.