KANCHANPUR, Sept 5: Family members of Dilip Singh Bista, the alleged perpetrator of Nirmala Panta's rape and murder have accused the police of giving extreme torture to Bista.

Police arrested mentally challenged Dilip, 41, a resident of Bhimdatta Municipality-19, onthe charge of raping and murdering Nirmala. His brother Khadak Singh Bista has accused the police of ruining his mental health further by giving him physical and mental torture.

"I urge the human rights activists and journalists to raise voice against the inhuman treatment given to my innocent brother," said Khadak. Last week, Dilip was sent to Kathmandu Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj for mental checkup. According to Khadak, his brother was kept in an empty room with handcuffs for whole the day. "Those handcuffs have left blue-black marks on his hands," said Khadak, adding, "What is the meaning of carrying out treatment with handcuffs?'

Not just on his hands but they claim that there is a blue mark even on his chest. Locals had intensified protest against police for framing mentally challenged Dilip as the perpetrator to protect the real culprit.

Even after weeks since the formation of the new committee, there has been no development in the case. The delay in finding more evidence has left the locals fearing that Dilip might be punished for something he can never do. "Police cannot torture him as he has not yet been proved guilty," said local Bimala Bista.

 
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