KATHMANDU: Five weeks after the harrowing incident, the rape victim of Achham District Police Office today alleged that high-ranking police officials were involved in covering up the crime and releasing the rapist policemen.

The victim police constable categorically said that

the release of sub-inspector Dansingh Bhandari, head constable Biradatta Badu and constable Narivan

Mahatara — the prime accused — forced her to break her silence.

“How can I get justice since the accused are already freed?” said a tearful victim, during an exclusive interview with The Himalayan Times today. “I’ve become the victim of injustice as the high-ranking police officials, instead of booking the culprits, have been helping the rapists.”

“Except DIG Parvati Thapa, the other high ranking officials, including SSP Prem Chand and SP Dhak Bahadur Karki, are involved to in keeping the crime under wraps,” she blamed. According to her, the senior officials even prevented her from meeting Home Minister Bhim Rawal, when the latter had visited the Achham Police Office in the wake of the crime. She claimed that those at the helm, after

the release of the prime accused, have been trying

their best to release other persons involved. “They have been hatching conspiracies to force one of them to confess the crime and to release others with the lure of money,” she added.

The rape victim has been taking shelter at Forum for Women, Law and Development, an NGO fighting for justice for women, since the last three weeks. She came to the Capital after senior women police staffs and well-wishers advised her to take help for justice.

The 22-year-old victim, who was preparing to take the upcoming SLC examination, said she would not be able to sit for the test due to the trauma and stress she has been through after the October 11 incident.

Although, she already called on Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and asked him to take action against the offenders, she is not too optimistic.

“The PM has assured

me of action against the culprits despite the attempts by senior police officers to release the accused.” The next day the National Human Rights Commission convicted the six accused, the District Government Lawyers’ Office had only prosecuted three of them — head constable Birendra Bam, Karbir Thalal and constable Jagadish Pandey.

The victim added that she would continue with her Nepal Police job only if she was not denied justice. “It will be very difficult for me as the policemen will be after me even if I get transfer to any barracks,” she feared.

She decided to knock on higher authorities although she was tolerating abuses by her male counterparts earlier. When she complained her husband about such incidents then, he used to tell her to keep mum to maintain the family dignity.