Conflicting statements have emerged from the government and the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) regarding the decision to replace Nepal Police Inspector General (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki with AIG Dr. Manoj KC. The Council of Ministers made the decision on Wednesday, Kartik 18 (BS).
Government spokesperson and Minister for Education Sasmita Pokharel stated that the change in IGP responsibility was made at the direction of the ruling coalition. However, RSP spokesperson Jagadish Kharel clarified that the party had not issued any such directive to the government nor interfered in the matter.
The Council of Ministers appointed Dr. Manoj KC as the 34th IGP of Nepal Police, replacing Dan Bahadur Karki, who was the 33rd IGP. Karki has been appointed as a special security advisor to Prime Minister Balen Shah. Karki was expected to serve until Chaitra 26, 2084 (BS), but was removed with approximately one year and five months remaining in his tenure.
Newly appointed IGP Dr. Manoj KC received his insignia at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, Kartik 18 (BS), and assumed office at the Police Headquarters. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung presented the insignia to KC. IGP KC stated that a zero-tolerance policy would be adopted to prevent unauthorized leakage of sensitive information from the police organization.
This marks the second instance in Nepal Police history where an incumbent IGP has been replaced before the completion of their term. Previously, then-IGP Achyut Krishna Kharel was removed on Chaitra 22, 2053 (BS), on the recommendation of then-Home Minister Bamdev Gautam. Section 9(2) of the Police Act, 2012, stipulates that police personnel serve at the discretion of the Nepal government.
Opposition parties, including the Nepali Congress, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and CPN-UML, have questioned the justification, legal basis, and process of the government’s decision. CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli sarcastically remarked that the new IGP was likely appointed because the government believes he will ‘do as he is told’.
Gyanendra Shahi, an RPP leader and parliamentary party leader, stated that if the IGP had committed a crime, action should be taken according to the law, but removing him based on personal interests without any wrongdoing constitutes an abuse of state power. Meanwhile, former IGP Dan Bahadur Karki is consulting with legal professionals in preparation to challenge the government’s decision in the Supreme Court.
Opposition parties have decided that if the issue is raised in parliament and public debate, they will pressure the government to clarify the basis and justification for its decision.
Background
- Dan Bahadur Karki was appointed the 33rd Inspector General of Nepal Police on Kartik 24, 2082 (BS).
- Disputes between Karki and the government began after the arrest of former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana without a warrant, which Karki reportedly opposed.
- Controversy escalated over alleged irregularities in police uniform procurement, raised by RSP MP Khagendra Sunar.
- Karki was accused of operating the police force solely under the direction of the Prime Minister and his secretariat, and of command and control weaknesses.
