KATHMANDU, Aug 20: A dispute over Nepal Police’s uniform procurement process resurfaced at Parliament on Wednesday, with Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Khagendra Sunar questioning why a new tender is being advanced while documents sought by lawmakers remain outstanding.
Speaking at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Sunar said the committee had requested documents related to alleged irregularities in police uniform procurement 15 days ago, but the records have yet to be furnished.
The delay, he argued, raises concerns about the decision to proceed with another procurement process involving millions of rupees. Sunar questioned how a fresh tender could move forward when parliamentary scrutiny of previous purchases remains incomplete.
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His remarks add a new chapter to a controversy that has repeatedly drawn the attention of lawmakers and police leadership alike. The procurement of police uniforms has become a subject of intense debate in the PAC, with questions being raised about transparency, accountability and adherence to procurement procedures.
Sunar also alleged that middlemen had exerted influence over procurement processes at Nepal Police headquarters. While the allegation remains unverified, he insisted that concerns surrounding the procurement system warrant closer examination.
The lawmaker said he would continue to pursue the issue and challenged anyone dissatisfied with his statements to seek legal recourse. According to him, he is prepared to support his claims with evidence if required.
At the same time, Sunar emphasized that the PAC’s role goes beyond trading accusations. The committee, he said, carries a constitutional responsibility to examine how public resources are spent and to ensure accountability in state institutions.
The latest exchange has revived memories of an earlier confrontation between Sunar and Nepal Police Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki during a PAC meeting, where the two clashed over questions surrounding uniform procurement.
As the controversy deepens, attention is now focused on whether Nepal Police will provide the documents sought by lawmakers, whether the procurement process can withstand parliamentary scrutiny, and whether the concerns raised can be resolved through evidence and transparency rather than political rhetoric.
