- Nepal Police held a marathon emergency meeting with top officials nationwide amid reports that IGP Dan Bahadur Karki faces political pressure to resign.
- Senior officers remain divided, with some arguing the IGP should address personal allegations individually to protect the institution’s overall reputation.
- Police headquarters warned that spreading unverified rumors about leadership transitions damages public trust and may lead to legal investigations.
- Despite intense internal discussions and mounting public scrutiny, the government has yet to make a formal announcement regarding the IGP’s future.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Tensions appear to be brewing within Nepal Police following a marathon six-and-a-half-hour emergency meeting on Thursday, called amidst widespread reports that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki is facing heavy political pressure to step down.
The high-stakes gathering of the Police Policy Coordination Committee (PCC) ran from mid-afternoon late into the evening at Police Headquarters. What made the session particularly unusual was its roster: top-ranking officers—including DIGs, AIGs, and SSPs—were summoned from all seven provinces alongside Kathmandu Valley leadership. PCC meetings typically focus on routine policy coordination and internal administration, but Thursday’s discussion quickly shifted toward leadership crises, mounting public scrutiny, and internal morale.
Divided Front Over Leadership Allegations
According to sources familiar with the discussions, officers widely agreed that the force needs to present a united front against public criticism. However, the tone grew tense when the conversation turned directly to the allegations surrounding IGP Karki.
One senior officer reportedly pushed back against protecting individual leadership at the expense of the institution’s reputation, stating bluntly that an individual must answer for their own allegations rather than expecting the entire organization to shoulder the burden.
When questioned by fellow officers about whether he was genuinely being pressured to resign, Karki reportedly offered only an indirect response. Senior officials also discussed the possibility of seeking a collective meeting with Prime Minister Balendra Shah, though no formal audience has been confirmed.
Police Issue Stern Warning Over Media Speculation
In a separate move to control the narrative, Nepal Police Headquarters issued an official statement addressing the rumors surrounding Karki’s position.
Central Police Spokesperson DIG Avi Narayan Kafle warned that unverified reports risk misleading the public and damaging trust in law enforcement. The statement urged media outlets and social media users to verify stories with official channels before publishing, cautioning that anyone intentionally spreading false information to undermine the force could face legal investigation.
Despite the firm warning, the official statement notably refrained from explicitly confirming or denying whether pressure had been placed on Karki to step aside.
While leadership scrutiny remains high, no formal decision regarding Karki’s future has been officially announced by the government or Police Headquarters.
