Kathmandu, November 13

The high-level probe commission formed to probe the Gen Z protest has imposed travel restrictions on outgoing Inspector General of Nepal Police (IGP) Chandra Kuber Khapung.

Khapung, who served as the 32nd IGP of the Nepal Police, assumed his office on September 4. He retired after completing his tenure as the 32nd police chief of Nepal Police on November 13.

In the meantime, the probe commission issued a statement, informing that a travel restriction had been imposed on Khapung. Bigyan Raj Sharma, the Commission's spokesperson, in conversation with The Himalayan Times, also reiterated that the notice had been issued for investigation purposes and to complete the task on time. Sharma said, 'The notice has been issued entirely for inquiry purposes to complete our task on time.'

The notice issued by Sharma states: 'As Inspector General of Police Chandra Kuber Khapung retires from service today, he will be required to appear before this Commission at any time for questioning and investigation. As a result, effective today, a letter will be sent to the appropriate body to make arrangements to prohibit his foreign travel and forbid him from leaving Kathmandu valley without the Commission's permission.'

It has also been requested to inform Khapung regarding this matter. In October, a testimony letter submitted by a group of victim police from Kathmandu valley claimed a suspicious role for outgoing IGP Khapung. Police Chief Khapung and Armed Police Force Chief Raju Aryal were allegedly present at Nepali Army Headquarters throughout the crisis, raising questions about their roles and the neutrality of the security response, as per the letter.

Previously, the Commission had placed travel restrictions on five individuals, including former prime minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, in connection with the same movement. 'The restrictions have continued on five individuals,' Sharma said.

Meanwhile, Dan Bahadur Karki assumed the office of IGP today. Home Minister Rameshwar Dangal conferred a medal on the 33rd IGP of Nepal Police during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Singha Durbar. A cabinet meeting on Monday had decided to promote Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karki as IGP of Nepal police.