KATHMANDU, JANUARY 7

The Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended Inspector Gayatri Raj Sharma for allegedly receiving bribe from a service-seeker.

He was suspended on the recommendation of Nepal Police Headquarters yesterday. SSP Basanta Kunwar, Nepal Police spokesperson, said Inspector Sharma was found receiving Rs 15,000 in bribe from a service-seeker on Sunday. Prior to his suspension, Sharma was posted in Thankot-based Metropolitan Police Circle.

Sharma had allegedly demanded bribe for settling a road accident case.

Earlier in December, the MoHA had suspended two erring cops of higher rank and one inspector on corruption charges. They were Superintendent of Police duo Rameshwor Yadav and Bimal Basnet, and Inspector Meghraj Prasad Chaurasiya. SP Basnet was posted in Metropolitan Police Office at Ranipokhari, SP Yadav at Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Singhadurbar, and Inspector Chaurasiya in Sindhuli District Police. They were suspended after preliminary investigation showed their involvement in unlawful activities, financial indiscipline and bribery.

An investigation panel is probing their anti-police conduct.

Recently, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority had suggested that MoHA incorporate subjects of ethics, morality and honesty in the basic training programme for police personnel so that they were not lured into bribery. The CIAA has also urged the MoHA to strengthen the internal control system of Nepal Police, as plainclothes cops deployed for intelligence gathering and security personnel deputed to customs points were found to have been involved in graft.