KATHMANDU, Aug 29: The government has appointed Chandra Kuber Khapung as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP). A cabinet meeting on Friday endorsed his promotion as the 32nd chief of Nepal Police.
Incumbent IGP Deepak Thapa will retire on September 3, paving the way for Khapung, currently chief of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), to take charge from September 4.
Born in Tehrathum, Khapung came to Kathmandu in 1986 for higher studies and enrolled at Nepal Law Campus. It was his friends Buddhi Raj Gurung and Bishnu KC—both of whom later retired as Additional Inspector General (AIG) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG)—who persuaded him to apply for the post of police inspector in 1994.
Province Chief Khapung certifies budget approved by Koshi provi...
Although selected in the same batch, Khapung’s appointment was delayed, and he formally joined service on November 12, 1995, alongside 39 others through a special arrangement. His training began during the early phase of the Maoist insurgency, after which he was deployed in strike operations in conflict-affected areas.
Khapung’s first posting was with the Riot Control Battalion in Itahari, followed by a transfer to Myagdi during the 1997 general elections, which he helped conduct peacefully. He later served at Battalion No. 2 in Kathmandu, taking part in multiple operations in surrounding districts, including Kavre.
He was also mobilised in Sindhuli during the Kilo Sierra Two operation launched under IGP Achyut Krishna Kharel. While many of his peers went on to lead field units after such operations, Khapung was instead posted to Hanuman Dhoka for investigations—a role he credits with sharpening his policing skills as he dealt with Kathmandu’s heavy caseload and complex criminal cases.
Known as a diligent and controversy-free officer, Khapung has headed several key units of Nepal Police, including Koshi Province Police as DIG and the Valley Crime Investigation Office as SSP. Superiors often sought to retain him in Kathmandu, citing his effectiveness in handling sensitive assignments.
Like some of his immediate predecessors, Khapung’s term at the helm will be short. Under existing regulations, he will retire on November 12 after completing 30 years of service, making his tenure the shortest ever for an IGP.
The eldest of six brothers, Khapung was born in Mohan, Tehrathum. His wife, Bhawana Shrestha, also served in Nepal Police before retiring as a DSP.
