A cabinet meeting decided to replace Thakuri with Rabindra Pratap Shah, senior-most Additional Inspector General (AIG) and Thakuri´s batch-mate.
Thakuri has, for the moment, been appointed as the prime minister´s security advisor, a position he will hold only until the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) goes to court over the APC scandal, also known as the Sudan scam. [break]
"He was involved in the Sudan scam and was also about to retire. The decision was taken to boost the morale of the police. He has been promoted to the prime minister´s security advisor," Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said about Thakuri´s removal.
Thakuri has been accused of corruption in the purchase and supply of APCs and other logistics to police personnel deputed to the UN peace-keeping mission in Sudan. He would have remained IGP for 15 more months had the scandal not overtaken him.
The abrupt decision to force out the incumbent police chief has been interpreted from several angles, corroborating the fact that there have been multiple reasons behind this second incident of its kind in the history of the Nepal Police.
Earlier in 1997, the government had relieved then IGP Achyut Krishna Kharel and appointed Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan in his place. However, Kharel was subsequently reinstated and Pradhan was then appointed advisor to the prime minister.
Some knowledgeable sources said that the Prime Minister´s Office (PMO) had taken the initiative to transfer police chief Thakuri after consulting Bhagwati Kafle, secretary at the CIAA.
"Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal is learnt to have consulted CIAA Secretary Bhagawati Kafle even as the anti-graft body is preparing to file a corruption case against Thakuri soon," said the sources, who even argued: “It is also for easing the court proceedings against Thakuri because arraigning an incumbent police chief would cause more complications in comparison with doing the same to a government advisor.”
Nevertheless, no written proposal was submitted at the PMO by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) regarding Thakuri´s transfer and Shah´s appointment.
"PM Khanal and Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara discussed the transfer and appointment Wednesday afternoon and took the decision," sources said.
Besides the apparent link to imminent court proceedings by the CIAA, Thakuri´s premature departure is related to insidious displeasure harboured by the government, especially the UCPN (Maoist), which had chosen Thakuri as police chief sidelining Shah, who was even then seniormost AIG, said senior police officials.
“He was also under immense pressure due to wayward and immature decisions,” said another senior official.
Thakuri was recruited into the Nepal Police on Bhadra 29, 2039 as police inspector. He was appointed IGP on February 17, 2009.
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