KATHMANDU, May 22: Police Headquarters has recommended several controversial Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) for promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
On Tuesday evening, Police Headquarters submitted the promotion recommendations, which include 11 officers who were transferred from the National Investigation Department to Nepal Police in 2001, many of whom are regarded as controversial.
Among the contentious figures are Surendra Gurung, Sanjeev Sharma Das, Om Rana, Dilip Regmi and Dilip Singh Deuba. While serving as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Gorkha, Surendra Gurung was found to have concealed money seized from gamblers during the Dashain-Tihar festival. Following an investigation that confirmed his misconduct, Shekhar Khanal was appointed as Gorkha’s police chief in his place.
Six APF SSPs recommended for promotion to DIG
While posted in Ramechhap, DSP Sanjeev Sharma Das allegedly protected a suspect involved in the rape and murder of a local girl, Suntali Tamang. A police investigation confirmed that Das had shielded the accused, prompting then Home Minister Janardan Sharma to suspend him. Despite being under suspension, he was controversially promoted to the rank of SP. Later, Kumod Dhungel’s team apprehended the murderer of Suntali Tamang in India and brought him back to Nepal.
Om Rana also courted controversy during his tenure as DSP. While leading police operations in Boudha and Rasuwa, he became embroiled in several disputes. A police investigation revealed that he had assisted red sandalwood smugglers. In connection with that case, although a military colonel was dismissed, authorities allowed Rana to remain in his position.
A controversial audio recording of a conversation between SSP Deepak Regmi and a woman has gone public, prompting Nepal Police to demand a clarification from him. Similarly, the Police Headquarters sought an explanation from SP Dilip Singh Deuba after he allegedly caused a traffic accident while driving under the influence of alcohol during his tenure as the chief of Bara district.
Despite the controversies, the Police Headquarters has recommended those SSPs for promotion to DIG. Other SSPs recommended for promotion include Sudarshan Prasad Koirala, Binod Ghimire, Dipendra Gharti Kshetri, Deepak Regmi, Madhav Prasad Shrestha, Dipak Kumar Basnet and Jayaraj Sapkota.
