History Repeats After 30 Years: Nepal Government Moves Serving Police Chief Dan Bahadur Karki Aside As AIG Manoj KC Is Reportedly Chosen As New IGP

Kathmandu, November 4, 2026

Nepal Police Gets New Leadership After Cabinet Decision

The government of Nepal has reportedly decided to appoint Additional Inspector General (AIG) Manoj KC as the new Inspector General of Nepal Police, replacing serving police chief Dan Bahadur Karki. The decision was made during Wednesday's Cabinet meeting on November 4, 2026, with Karki reportedly being moved to a security adviser position. The leadership change comes amid reported differences between the government and senior police officials, including questions surrounding the purchase of uniforms for election police. The development has also revived memories of a controversial police leadership change in 2053 BS, nearly 30 years ago.

What Did The Cabinet Decide?

According to reports, Wednesday's Cabinet meeting decided to remove Dan Bahadur Karki from the position of Inspector General of Police and appoint AIG Manoj KC as his successor.

Karki, who became Nepal Police's 33rd Inspector General in November 2025, had not reached his normal retirement date. Under the existing 30-year service provision, he was expected to remain in service until March 2028.

The reported decision therefore represents a leadership change before the completion of his expected service period, rather than a routine appointment following retirement.

Why Was Dan Bahadur Karki Removed?

The leadership change comes after weeks of reported tension between the government and Nepal Police's senior leadership.

According to reports, disagreements surrounding the purchase of uniforms for election police were among the issues contributing to tensions.

The controversy had already reached Parliament's Public Accounts Committee, which examined allegations of financial irregularities related to election police uniforms.

In August 2026, Karki and Home Secretary Raj Kumar Shrestha appeared before the committee to explain the purchasing arrangements. Both denied wrongdoing and said money had been transferred directly to election police personnel to purchase uniforms.

However, the exact official grounds for Karki's removal have not been independently established, and it would be premature to identify the uniform controversy as the confirmed reason behind the Cabinet decision.

What Happened In Nepal Police 30 Years Ago?

A similar leadership controversy occurred in 2053 BS, when then-Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam removed serving Inspector General Achyut Krishna Kharel from his position.

Kharel had been appointed police chief in Falgun 2053 but was removed after approximately 36 days in office.

The government transferred him to the National Investigation Department and appointed Dhruva Bahadur Pradhan as the new Inspector General of Nepal Police.

The decision became one of the most widely discussed examples of political interference in Nepal's police administration.

How Did The 2053 BS Controversy End?

Following his removal, Achyut Krishna Kharel challenged the government's decision, arguing that his transfer was unlawful.

The dispute raised questions about the government's authority to move a serving police chief between organizations governed by separate administrative arrangements.

After changes in the government, Kharel returned to the position of Inspector General in Mangsir 2054. The legal dispute and subsequent developments became an important chapter in debates over political influence on police appointments.

Dhruva Bahadur Pradhan had served as IGP from Chaitra 2053 until Mangsir 2054.

How Are The Two Incidents Similar?

Although the incidents occurred under different governments and political circumstances, both involved the removal of a serving Inspector General before the expected end of his leadership period.

In 2053 BS, Achyut Krishna Kharel was transferred to the National Investigation Department, and Dhruva Bahadur Pradhan became police chief.

In 2083 BS, Dan Bahadur Karki has reportedly been moved to a security adviser role, while Manoj KC has been selected to lead Nepal Police.

The similarity has brought renewed attention to the government's authority over police leadership and the importance of ensuring that appointments and removals follow established legal procedures.

Who Is Manoj KC, The Reported New Police Chief?

Manoj KC is a senior Nepal Police officer who joined the organization as an inspector in March 1998, the same recruitment intake as Dan Bahadur Karki.

He has held several important investigative and leadership positions, including serving as chief of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office and later heading the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

KC gained public attention for his involvement in investigations related to the fake Bhutanese refugee scam.

He was among the senior officers considered for the Inspector General position in November 2025, when the government ultimately selected Dan Bahadur Karki.

Why Does This Leadership Change Matter?

The Inspector General is responsible for leading Nepal Police, overseeing law enforcement operations, and directing the organization's administration and security priorities.

Changing the police chief before the expected completion of their service period can raise questions about institutional stability, government oversight, and the independence of professional policing.

The latest development has therefore renewed debate about how governments select police leaders and whether established procedures provide sufficient protection against political influence.

However, the historical similarities alone do not establish that the two decisions have identical legal circumstances or political motivations.

What Happens Next?

With Manoj KC reportedly selected as the new Inspector General, attention will turn to the implementation of the Cabinet's decision and the future responsibilities of Dan Bahadur Karki.

The legal basis for the transfer, the formal appointment documentation, and any response from the outgoing police chief will be important in understanding the full implications of the leadership change.

Nearly three decades after the Kharel-Pradhan controversy, Nepal Police once again faces questions about leadership stability, administrative authority, and political influence over the country's principal law enforcement agency.