By Our Reporter
The unusually long meeting of Nepal Police’s Policy Coordination Committee (PCC) on Thursday reflects the unease within the organisation as its chief, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki, faces mounting pressure over alleged irregularities in the procurement of election police uniforms and his reported links with middleman Inam Sapkota. Bringing together senior officers from all seven provinces for a meeting lasting more than five hours suggests that the controversy has grown beyond the position of one individual. It has become a matter of institutional concern.
The meeting reportedly discussed attempts to undermine the police leadership through media reports, internal indiscipline and the need for officers to stand together. Some participants even proposed that senior officials collectively visit the Prime Minister’s Office to express their concerns. Such a discussion is unusual and shows how deeply the dispute between the government and the police chief has affected the organisation.
Police leadership has a legitimate interest in protecting the institution from political interference. The police cannot perform their duties effectively if senior officers are constantly worried about political pressure, transfers, appointments or the possibility of being removed. An organisation responsible for public security needs a clear chain of command and confidence in its leadership. Any attempt to weaken that structure for political reasons can affect its performance across the country.
Yet institutional unity should not become a shield against investigation. Allegations concerning the election police uniform procurement deserve a proper examination. Nepal Police recruited 133,980 personnel and the Armed Police Force hired another 15,110 for the February 21 House of Representatives election. The government allocated uniform allowances ranging from Rs 6,170 to Rs 11,500 per person, depending on the deployment area. Police officials estimate that around Rs 1 billion was released under this heading. Complaints have been filed with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, which has formed a subcommittee to investigate the matter.
Both security agencies have denied irregularities. Their position must be tested against procurement records, payment details, contracts and the actual quality and delivery of uniforms. Demands for Karki’s resignation or dismissal, including those made by RSP lawmaker Khagendra Sunar, cannot replace an investigation. Nor should the police leadership dismiss questions raised by elected representatives as attempts to damage the organisation.
The controversy involving Sapkota has further complicated matters. Reports of his contacts with senior police officials have raised questions about the influence of middlemen and the possible use of personal connections to reach people in powerful positions. These allegations need to be examined separately, with evidence determining the course of action. The government must also explain its position on the reported pressure on Karki to resign.
Karki’s strongly worded address to police officers on Wednesday, followed by Thursday’s expanded PCC meeting, suggests that the leadership is concerned about internal divisions. Warning personnel against activities that undermine the organisation may be justified, but criticism, legitimate reporting and scrutiny must not be treated as indiscipline. A professional police force should be able to withstand public questioning without feeling threatened.
The government must avoid turning the police leadership into a battleground for political differences. At the same time, the IGP must ensure that institutional loyalty does not take precedence over professional conduct. Any change in leadership should follow established procedures, while allegations of misconduct should be investigated without favour or pressure.
Nepal Police is expected to maintain law and order, protect citizens and enforce the law impartially. Its officers cannot do so effectively if uncertainty at the top spreads through the ranks. At a time when the country needs a dependable security force, the morale of its personnel must be kept high. That requires political restraint, fair leadership and credible investigations. The police must stand united behind the institution, not behind any individual. And the government must protect the organisation without protecting anyone who may have broken the law.
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