Kathmandu, February 4

A day after the victim of alleged gang rape filed an FIR against four suspects at Metropolitan Police Range, cops have apprehended two persons in connection with the January 21 incident which took place at Durbar Marg-based Hotel Landmark.

Though the 22-year-old woman changed her previous statement and claimed that she had a consensual relationship only with her ‘boyfriend’ Shailesh Karki of Ramechhap who is currently residing in Dhumbarahi, she admitted of being raped after psycho-social counselling in police protection and filed FIR against Karki, Deepak Gautam, Ravi Paudel and Bikash Gautam.

A member of the probe panel led by Superintendent of Police Ram Dutta Joshi said police had stepped up a manhunt to nab the suspects after the FIR was filed.

However, police have not disclosed the identity of those arrested and confirmed that Karki was still at large.

The victim did not know the persons other than Karki earlier. Officials have already suspended sub-inspector Chandra Bhandari and Inspector Laxman Singh Thakuri of Metropolitan Police Circle, Durbar Marg, for their alleged involvement in forcing the victim into signing a reconciliation paper with Karki to set him free in the presence of his guardians the next morning of the ‘gang rape’.

Similarly, In-charge of Metropolitan Police Circle, Durbar Marg, Tilak Bharati has been recalled to Metropolitan Police Range for further investigation. A member of the probe panel said the police officers were suspected of trying to settle and dismiss the heinous crime by accepting bribe from the perpetrators, who also promised the victim ‘handsome money’.

“It is surprising that Rs 2.4 million and four lakh rupees have been found to be credited to the woman’s two bank accounts after the incident. An investigation is under way to establish the source of the cash,” he said.