KATHMANDU: 89 Nepal Police officers and 16 Armed Police Force officers retired on Saturday at the same time, in accordance with the Supreme Court's ruling that upheld the 30-year service period requirement. An interim order that had temporarily lifted this requirement was repealed by the joint bench of the Supreme Court, forcing officials who had served 30 years to retire. Senior officers like Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bishnu Kumar KC of the Nepal Police and DIGs Abhi Khatri and Durga Bhattarai of the Armed Police Force were among those resigning.
According to the Police Act, mandatory retirement occurs when a person reaches the age restriction, completes 30 years of service, or ends their service time. Many officers ended their duty on Saturday, the first day of the new service limit period, as a result of the Supreme Court's ruling. Eleven Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), many Superintendents of Police (SPs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), and thirty-five police inspectors were among those who retired.
The Ministry of Finance is now reviewing a new law draft that the Home Ministry has created to replace the Police Act of 2012. This announcement was made by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. The 30-year service requirement for retirement is intended to be removed under the proposed bill. The proposal will be brought before the Council of Ministers and Parliament for additional consideration and approval after receiving clearance from the Ministries of Finance and Law.
In related news, DIG Yagya Binod Pokhrel of the Madhes Province is allegedly accepting bribes and helping smuggle goods, and as a result, the Police Headquarters is getting ready to take action. Investigations are in progress after Pokhrel's intermediary was taken into custody. Evidence points to Pokhrel's possible involvement in corrupt acts, and the investigation is still ongoing, thus more action is anticipated.
