KATHMANDU, Nov 30: Nepal Army (NA) has decided to take action against 187 of its servicemen including 23 officers for their involvement in irregularities in the recruitment process, according to a statement issued on Thursday. 

Following complaints of irregularities in recruitment, the new army chief Purna Chandra Thapa had formed a court martial to investigate the alleged irregularities in recruitment in 2017 and 2018. On May 20, a court of inquiry led by a Brigadier General recommended court-martial for 187 army personnel including 23 officers, according to the Directorate of Public Relations and Information of the NA. 

NA has expelled 101 personnel from the force, not making them disqualified for any government service in the future. The court martial decided to jail 10 NA personnel including four officers from 35 days to six years, besides fining them. Similarly, four NA personnel including an officer have been expelled from the job. Out of the nearly 200 accused, the court martial gave clean chits to four officers and 14 NA personnel of other ranks after interrogation. Similarly, 16 officers and 17 soldiers were cautioned and five NA personnel of various ranks have been barred from promotion from two to five years.  Similarly, 37 NA personnel who were recruited during the period will not get a promotion for three years.

According to the statement, the court martial has decided to recover Rs 32.2 million from the 187 NA personnel found guilty in the scam and deposit the amount in the state coffers.

 
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