Kathmandu, October 7

At a time when Nepal Police is striving to regain its image following harsh criticism over its failure to combat crimes in the country, the recent arrests of several cops with bribe money have dealt a serious blow to the security agency.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority arrested Deputy Superintendent of Police Shyam Rai, in-charge at Boudhha-based Metropolitan Police Circle, red-handed while receiving a bribe of Rs 140,000 from local businesspersons as part of the sting operation being conducted by the anti-graft body.

On September 16, the CIAA caught nine cops with bribe money they received from sand suppliers. The corrupt police personnel, who landed in jail, were assistant sub-inspectors Gopal Prasad Shrestha and Subash Dhungana; head constables Umesh Kumar Yadav, Aman Chaudhary and Deepal Bharati; and constables Mukesh Prasad Patel, Dipendra Kunwar, Mansingh Roka and Ratna Prasad Rijal.

ASIs Shrestha and Dhungana posted at Kandaghari-based Metropolitan Police Sector and Sano Thimi-based Metropolitan Police Circle were held with a bribe of Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 from Tinkune and Pepsicola, respectively. Similarly, the CIAA team arrested head constables Yadav, Chaudhary and Bharati, and constables Patel, Kunwar, Roka and Rijal while taking Rs 5,000 bribe each. The head constables and constables had their posting at metropolitan police sectors in Kandaghari, Koteshwor and Sano Thimi. CIAA Spokesperson Rameshwor Dangal said the cops had demanded bribe from the sand suppliers threatening them to destroy their business.

SI Jyoti Bista of Sanothimi-based MPS and SI Govinda Kharel of Kandaghari-based MPS were held in connection with the same graft case on September 18 and 27 respectively. On October 2, head constable Nurul Hoda Ansari of DPO, Siraha, was arrested with Rs 30,000 bribe. Similarly, the CIAA held Inspector Ganesh Singh Mahata of Mainapokhar-based Area Police Office of Bardiya while receiving Rs 30,000 bribe from service-seekers.

On September 12, the CIAA had arrested sub-inspector Rambabu Prasad Yadav with Rs 5,000 bribe in Area Police Office, Ramgopalpur, Mahottari.  The CIAA arrested 156 persons while receiving bribe from service-seekers and filed as many charge-sheets against them at the Special Court  in the fiscal 2017-18. Around Rs 10.5 million in question has been claimed from the defendants. Those arrested with bribe included a DSP, two inspectors, two sub-inspectors, three assistant sub-inspectors, two head constables and nine constables.

IGP’s warning

KATHMANDU: Inspector General of Police Sarbendra Khanal on Sunday said any cop found guilty of unethical conduct would be liable to legal or department action as per gravity of his/her offence. Addressing a special function organised at Maharajgunj-based National Police Academy, IGP Khanal said, “Unprofessional conduct of some police officers has sullied the image of the entire security organisation. Such officers will have to pay the price of their deeds. Nepal Police cannot be made stronger unless they are punished,” he said. IGP Khanal also directed  police personnel to win the hearts of people without any greed.