Additional Inspector General (AIG) Banshiraj Dahal of the Armed Police Force, Nepal’s paramilitary security body, has been dismissed from service by the Ministry of Home Affairs, effective from Ashoj 23, 2083 (BS). The dismissal follows a departmental action against Dahal for violating conduct, engaging in indisciplinary acts, and damaging the reputation and image of the Nepal government and his organization.
Anand Kafle, spokesperson and joint secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued a statement on Friday confirming the decision. Dahal was accused of providing sensitive information regarding Prime Minister Balen Shah’s movements to Inam Sapkota, a businessman from Jhapa, via WhatsApp.
Investigation and Recommendation for Dismissal
The Ministry of Home Affairs had suspended Dahal on Ashoj 19, 2083 (BS), and initiated an investigation into the allegations against him. AIG Anjani Kumar Pokharel of the Armed Police Force was appointed as the investigation officer to probe the matter.
The investigation committee, led by Pokharel, concluded that Dahal had engaged in activities contrary to his official conduct. Based on these findings, the committee recommended his dismissal in accordance with the Armed Police Force Regulations, 2072.
Connection to Money Laundering Investigation
According to sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs, contact was established between the suspended AIG Dahal and Inam Sapkota, who is currently under investigation by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, Nepal’s anti-money laundering body. It was revealed that Dahal had shared information about Prime Minister Balen Shah’s movements with Sapkota on WhatsApp.
The Armed Police Force, Nepal, had previously recommended to the Ministry of Home Affairs that Dahal be disciplined for leaking sensitive security-related information, which constituted a breach of his official conduct. The Department of Money Laundering Investigation is currently investigating Inam Sapkota for illegal earnings and financial investment in terrorist activities. For more details on Sapkota’s investigation, read our earlier coverage: Money Laundering Investigation: Inam Sapkota’s remand extended, links with Rana and Dahal exposed.
Rejection of Service Extension Proposal
AIG Dahal’s tenure was set to expire on Ashoj 27, 2083 (BS). The Armed Police Force headquarters had already submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs to extend his service by one year, based on a provision in the Armed Police Force Regulations that allows for such an extension. However, the disciplinary action against him proceeded due to the allegations before a decision could be made on the extension proposal.
Previously, during the money laundering investigation into Inam Sapkota, his connections with former Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana and the then-suspended AIG Banshiraj Dahal were uncovered.
