KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has appointed Deputy Superintendent of Municipal Police Bishnu Prasad Joshi as the new head of its municipal police force.
The decision follows the six-month suspension of the current municipal police chief, Rajunath Pandey, effective from Tuesday. The appointment was made by KMC’s Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain.
Joshi had previously served as chief of the municipal police during the tenure of former mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya.
Pandey was issued a clarification notice by Guragain on May 20, giving him a week to respond. In his seven-point response submitted on May 26, Pandey defended his actions, stating he had followed the instructions of Mayor Balen Shah.
The dispute traces back to April 3, 2025, when a municipal police team led by Pandey allegedly attempted to block Guragain from entering the Kathmandu Plaza office. After failing to stop him, the team reportedly tried to use force against other KMC employees inside the office.
Following the incident, Guragain questioned why disciplinary action should not be taken against Pandey, ultimately leading to his suspension.
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