Dhangadhi, November 29:

Family of missing journalist JP Joshi ‘Pandit’, whose skeletal remains were found in Pragati Mahila Community Forest in Malakheti VDC, today filed a case against Lokendra Rawat and his brother Karan Rawat at the Kailali DAO.

Joshi’s brother Pusparaj filed the case, alleging that the duo had killed his brother. Police have formed an investigation team, under the leadership of DSP Bhola Prasad Rawal, to look into the case.

“My brother had left home on October 8. A day later, Lokendra told my sister-in-law Basanti that my brother had left for Kathmandu after taking Rs 65,000 from him. That was

the last we heard about my brother. Incidents show that Rawat might be behind the killing,” Pusparaj told the cops.

Relatives of JP Joshi said Rawat had been absconding since the police, mediapersons and locals went to Pragati Community Forest yesterday.

Lokendra’s brother Karan has been arrested. Police said they saw Rawat’s motorbike on Chaumala section of the East-West Highway but failed to nab him.

“Though the recovered skeleton was sent to district headquarters Dhangadhi for post mortem yesterday, the nature of murder could not be ascertained. It will now be sent to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu,” Superintendent of Police Uttam Bahadur Singh said.

He said they would carry out DNA test to reveal the deceased’s identity. Joshi’s family claimed that the skeletal remains were indeed of JP Joshi on the basis of documents, mobile set and other belongings found from the site.

Meanwhile, locals organised chakkajam in Attariya Chowk today, demanding punishment for the culprit, declaration of Joshi as martyr and compensation for his family.

The CPN-Maoist, which had remained mum on the issue so far, issued a statement today and demanded immediate arrest of Joshi’s murderers.