AIG promotion case in July 4

The Supreme Court Tuesday decided to hold final hearings July 4 on the controversy over the promotion of two Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (DIGs) by the royal government.

The court issued the decision in response to a writ petition filed by then DIGs Kumar Koirala, Gyanendra Bikram Mahat, Him Bahadur Gurung and Sher Bahadur Shah. The four retired three months ago as the then royal cabinet did not promote them to Additional Inspector General of Police.

The retired police officers have slammed the cabinet decision for being biased. At the time, then DIGs Rup Sagar Moktan and Krishna Basnet were promoted to AIG from among the six DIGs contending for the post. The promotion got dragged into controversy as the cabinet allegedly promoted Moktan and Basnet in view of their affinity to the palace.

Taking up the case, Justices Rajendra Kumar Bhandari and Kalyan Shrestha said, "As the case is related to security and is very serious in nature, it needs to be settled as soon as possible. So the court will hold final hearings on the case July 4."

Mainwhile Civil Police Headquarters on Tuesday sent seven Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) and three Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) on deputation as per the decision of the ministry.

DIG Hem Gurung has been deputed to Central Regional Police Office, Makawanpur, DIG Surendra Bahadur Pal to Far Western Regional Police Office, Dipayal, DIG Dipendra Bahadur Bista to Mid Western Regional Police Office, Surkhet, DIG Ramesh Prasad Shrestha to Western Regional Police Office, DIG Rabi Shrestha to Operations Department at the Police Headquarters, DIG Shyam Singh Thapa to Logistics Department, and DIG Niraj Pun to the Crime Investigation Department.

Similarly the DSPs receiving deputation orders are Rajendra Man Shrestha who has been sent to the Police Headquarters, Yogeshwor Rom Thami, sent to the City Police Office, Kathmandu, and Akhtar Ali Ansari, who has been sent to Myagdi District Police Office.