KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)’s Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Ghimire has issued a seven-point clarification notice to City Police Superintendent Rajunath Pandey, giving him seven days to respond.
The notice accuses Pandey of misconduct and indiscipline, including making unauthorized statements to the media, engaging in inappropriate behavior with elected officials, disobeying orders intended to de-escalate tensions, and deliberately inciting conflict.
Pandey has also been accused of obstructing the Chief Administrative Officer from entering the office premises, particularly during an incident on April 3, when he allegedly deployed municipal police personnel to block Ghimire’s entry into the Kamaladi office on Mayor Balen Shah’s instructions.
The explanation was demanded amid growing dissatisfaction among elected representatives regarding Pandey’s conduct.
Ghimire has warned that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated time will result in legal action, including possible dismissal from his position.
The move comes a day after tensions flared between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Mayor Shah. During Monday’s Republic Day main celebration committee meeting, PM Oli questioned Shah’s absence. In response, Shah accused the Prime Minister of being the “leader of the corrupt” and stated he would not attend a meeting led by someone coordinating with corrupt figures.
The clarification notice to Pandey is seen as part of a broader crackdown following that confrontation, with internal sources indicating that steps have already begun to remove Pandey from his duties.
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