KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party-led government’s decision to remove Dan Bahadur Karki as Inspector General of Police (IGP) has brought back memories of a similar controversy in Nepal Police nearly three decades ago.
Following Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, government Spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel stated that IGP Dan Bahadur Karki had been transferred to the newly created position of Special Security Adviser to the Prime Minister, while AIG Manoj Kumar KC, who currently heads the Criminal Investigation Department, had been appointed as the new IGP.
The government and the police leadership had reportedly been at odds for some time over allegations of irregularities in the procurement of uniforms for temporary police personnel deployed during the elections.
Although the government has formally assigned Karki the role of Special Security Adviser to the Prime Minister, the decision effectively removes him from the leadership of Nepal Police, marking a significant change in the police command.
In 1997, then Home Minister Bamdev Gautam removed then IGP Achyut Krishna Kharel less than a month after assuming office and appointed a police chief of his choice. On April 3, 1997, just 36 days after Kharel took charge as IGP, Gautam transferred him to head the Investigation Department.
Gautam subsequently appointed then Additional Inspector General Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan as the new police chief. Govinda Thapa, who was heading the Investigation Department, was transferred to the Special Police. The reshuffle triggered widespread criticism.
Kharel had then challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, arguing that his removal was unlawful, and sought reinstatement. Although the court conducted hearings over the following eight months, it did not deliver a verdict.
The controversy unfolded at a time when Gautam was himself facing political pressure. Opposition parties accused him of misusing state machinery to influence the outcome of local elections held after his appointment as Home Minister and demanded an investigation into the allegations.
Kharel’s removal took place during the premiership of Lokendra Bahadur Chand. However, the Chand-led government collapsed on October 7, 1997, paving the way for Surya Bahadur Thapa to become Prime Minister with the support of the Nepali Congress.
The new government subsequently reinstated Kharel as IGP and appointed Pradhan as Special Adviser to the Prime Minister. Govinda Thapa was also restored to his previous position as chief of the Investigation Department.
The Cabinet cited several reasons for reversing the earlier decisions. These included the failure to consult the Public Service Commission before appointing Special Service personnel to civil service positions, Kharel’s premature removal before completing his legally prescribed tenure, and the alleged illegality of his appointment as chief of the Special Service. The government also said the earlier reshuffle had created confusion within the police organisation.
Kharel returned to Nepal Police Headquarters on December 11, 1997. Addressing the issue, he said personal interests and self-serving tendencies should not be allowed to influence the police organisation.
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