IGP Karki convenes PCC meeting as PM Shah reportedly seeks his removal

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki has convened an emergency Police Coordination Committee (PCC) meeting today at 2 PM at the Police Headquarters in Naxal, Kathmandu. All seven provincial Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) have been summoned to Kathmandu to attend the meeting, amidst reports that Prime Minister Balen Shah is seeking Karki’s removal from office.Police sources confirmed that provincial police chiefs were instructed to report to the Police Headquarters. According to a senior police official, DIGs were asked to arrive between 12 PM and 12:30 PM, with some already in Kathmandu and others en route.The PCC meeting, which is crucial for policy formulation and institutional decision-making within the police organization, typically includes only DIGs and Additional Inspectors General (AIGs) stationed in the Kathmandu Valley. However, this time, the scope of participants has been broadened to include provincial DIGs and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) from within the Kathmandu Valley.The meeting comes amidst reports of a strained relationship between IGP Karki and the government, with discussions circulating that the Prime Minister wishes to remove him from his post.Prime Minister Shah is reportedly taking seriously the alleged contact between IGP Karki and Additional Inspector General (AIG) Rajan Adhikari with a person identified as Inam Sapkota, who is referred to as a middleman. Sapkota was drawn into investigation following the examination of former Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana’s mobile phone, with police reportedly finding conversations indicating Sapkota promised to resolve court cases and assist in police officer promotions.On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shah met with Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, for a six-hour discussion. Sources claim that during this meeting, discussions included Rastriya Swatantra Party Member of Parliament Khagendra Sunar and police leadership. Shah reportedly conveyed to Lamichhane his desire to remove the IGP. Additionally, there were discussions about demanding Sunar’s resignation due to allegations of misconduct.On Wednesday, IGP Karki also held a lengthy virtual meeting with the chiefs of all 77 District Police Offices across the country. During this meeting, Karki reportedly expressed anger over increasing indiscipline within the organization, naming some police officers. He instructed them to seriously address issues such as betting in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) and to control potential crimes during the upcoming Tihar and Chhath festivals.The formal agenda for today’s PCC meeting has not been publicly disclosed. However, it is expected to cover the overall security situation, internal management of the police organization, and contemporary issues. Police sources indicate that the issue of peace and security will be prioritized. The specific reason for calling the meeting on an emergency basis, particularly with the inclusion of all provincial DIGs, has not been revealed.Given the ongoing pressure on IGP Karki and the discussions surrounding his position, it is anticipated that the meeting will also address potential steps regarding police leadership. The Supreme Court on Ashoj 24 (BS) dismissed Sapkota’s habeas corpus petition seeking release, as investigations continue into his foreign assets, financial transactions, and information exchange with security officials.Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Khagendra Sunar has denied that an audio recording related to a dispute with a woman is his, according to his statement to the party’s investigation committee on Ashoj 28 (BS). The party’s committee is preparing to conduct a technical examination of the disputed audio.