A sub-inspector and a constable have been suspended for their negligence but no action has been taken against Paharai — who was heading the team guarding Nicole.

The All India Gorkha League had already alleged that Nicole was allowed to flee as the state reached an understanding with the GJM after it dropped its demands to include Dooars and Terai in the proposed hill council.

“The theory sounds ridiculous,” said a senior official of the state police. “But one thing is baffling. Nicole’s escape was facilitated and Pahari could have a role in that. He was responsible for a serious lapse. It’s intriguing that no action has been taken against him.”

Home Secretary Samar Ghosh said they were waiting for a CID report before taking any action. “Our IG, CID Neeraj Narayan Pandey and ADG, CID Raj Kanojia have gone there. We will take action on the basis of their report,” Ghosh told The Indian Express.

Kanojia and Pandey met officials at Siliguri to take stock of the efforts to trace Nicole.

“During interrogation, Nicole mentioned the names of 10-12 people and we are checking on them. We are hopeful that Tamang will be re-arrested soon,” Kanojia said.

The GJM, which called an indefinite bandh following Nicole’s escape — and later gave two-day breather on August 25 and August 26 — extended it to August 30. Nicole is supposed to be produced in court that day and the chargesheet against him is to be filed. “Unless Nicole is produced by then, we will go for an indefinite bandh,” said Morcha spokesman Benoy Tamang.