Investigation into Rape and Murder of 16-Year-Old Inisa Vik Stalls, Drawing Criticism in Provincial Assembly
Surkhet. The investigation into the case of 16-year-old Inisa Vik, who was allegedly raped and murdered, has been prolonged. With 17 days having passed since the incident, lawmakers have raised questions in the Karnali Provincial Assembly meeting over the failure to conclude the investigation.
Speaking in the Karnali Provincial Assembly meeting that began on Thursday, most lawmakers drew the attention of the security agencies to the delay in the investigation of Inisa's case. "Let there be a swift and impartial investigation, and let the victim's family receive justice," said lawmaker Urmila Bishwakarma. "As such incidents are happening almost daily, it is necessary to amend the laws related to rape, even if it means introducing a law that mandates the death penalty." Lawmakers Ransingh Pariyar, Krishnabahadur GC, and even Chief Minister Yamalal Kandel expressed their views in the parliament regarding Inisa Vik's case.
Seventeen days after the incident, Inisa's body remains in the morgue of the Provincial Hospital. Inisa's father, Indra, has stated that he will not claim the body until justice is served. "A heinous crime has been committed against my daughter; she was raped and murdered. Justice must not die," he said. "The investigation must be impartial; we will not claim the body until we receive justice."
He mentioned that the police assured them of justice, and they are waiting for that assurance. He stated, "The rapist should receive life imprisonment or the death penalty; if such policies are not adopted, these incidents will continue to occur."
- Why the delay in the investigation?
Inisa, a permanent resident of Gurphakot Municipality-6 Badakhola, was living with her family in Birendranagar Municipality-1. She left home on Saturday, Falgun 23, at 6 AM, saying she was going for tuition, and was found unconscious around 9 AM in the Janajagaran Community Forest, north of Birendranagar Municipality-4.
When the police rushed her to the Provincial Hospital, doctors declared her dead. On the same day, the police took a 16-year-old minor into custody from the scene, who claimed to be Inisa's boyfriend.
The family and relatives of Inisa alleged gang rape and murder and filed a complaint against three others on Falgun 24. The police arrested those three minors on the same day.
The incident has now become a national issue. However, the police have not yet concluded the investigation. Two weeks ago, the police stated they would investigate scientifically, and a team of experts, including CIB from the center and polygraph and CDR analysis experts from Nepalgunj, arrived in Surkhet.
According to Superintendent of Police Sudhiraj Shahi, Chief of the District Police Office Surkhet, all these teams have completed their investigation and returned. The reports they prepared are yet to arrive.
"The deceased's mobile has not been unlocked; we have sent it back to the department to unlock it. It will come after testing, and the reports from the forensic science laboratory are still pending," Shahi told Ratopati. "We are waiting for those reports."
Furthermore, the CIB will prepare a report of its investigation conducted here and send a summarized version. That is yet to arrive.
"They will analyze everything there and send the report. Perhaps it will arrive in a day or two," Shahi added. "Once the reports arrive, we will combine all reports and prepare the investigation report."
According to him, all the expert teams that came here have taken the crime scene, the statements of the accused, and all the documents. The expert teams will analyze those documents and their investigation and provide their conclusion to the Surkhet police.
After that, the Surkhet police will prepare a conclusive report of all the details.
- "The investigation so far does not indicate gang rape"
Police Chief Shahi states that the investigation so far does not suggest gang rape. "So far, it cannot be stated as gang rape," he said. "However, it will become clear once all the reports arrive."
Nevertheless, the family, relatives, and rights activists maintain that it was gang rape and are raising questions about the investigation itself.
The post-mortem report conducted by the team of Forensic Expert Dr. Arbin Shakya from Bheri Hospital, Banke, at the Provincial Hospital Surkhet, mentions that the death may have occurred due to a tear in the sensitive organ and excessive bleeding during forced intercourse.
Although the post-mortem report suggests this as the possible cause, it states that confirmation can only be made after the viscera test. That report is also yet to arrive.
An investigating officer who studied the report told Ratopati that the interpretation of the report mentions injuries to the genital parts, meaning injuries to the vagina, including the hymen up to the uterus, caused excessive bleeding.
The police suspect that the accused 16-year-old minor may have forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with Inisa.
The youth stated in his testimony that Inisa was his girlfriend and that the sexual intercourse was consensual. Police investigation at the scene also showed that Inisa's body had no other injuries besides bleeding from the genital area, and some parts were soaked with blood flowing from there. Blood was also seen on the ground.
According to an investigating officer, during the sexual intercourse, excessive bleeding occurred after force was used, and the boy appeared panicked after seeing the girl faint and the blood, thinking, "What should I do?" He then dragged Inisa about two and a half meters away and placed her on level ground, according to his statement.
According to the police, besides the bleeding from Inisa's genitals, her back was slightly scratched. This is believed to be from dragging her across shrubs and plants. "There are no other injuries on the body besides that," he said.
The main accused minor stated during his testimony that he called the other three individuals for help after Inisa fainted to take her to the hospital. Whether he told the truth or lied will be revealed by the polygraph report.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
