Nepal’s political leadership has long failed to build a professional, strong and independent police force governed by the laws of the land, instead allowing the institution to remain vulnerable to political interference and the whims of those in power. A recent incident in Dhanusha suggests that the misuse of the police for political interests continues even after the Gen Z movement. News reports say the district chair of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) at a public event accused the Dhanusha district police chief of acting as a middleman and engaging in bribery, and urged lawmakers to have him transferred within a week. The police chief, in a public statement, rejected the allegations as baseless and claimed they were made because he had refused to yield to unlawful pressure. Only an impartial investigation can establish the facts. Allegations of corruption against a police officer are serious and must be investigated fairly. No officer should be shielded from scrutiny because of rank or position. But it is equally troubling when a ruling party leader publicly accuses a police officer and threatens to have him transferred. Such conduct raises questions about whether the police are expected to uphold the law or comply with the wishes of those in power. A professional police force must be guided by law, established procedures and evidence, not political instructions or the personal whims of powerful individuals.
Legitimacy as Security: Rethinking Policing for a New Nepal
When officers who resist improper pressure face transfers or other punishment, while those who comply enjoy protection, the institution loses its independence. In such an environment, officers cannot enforce the law impartially or without fear. The public, in turn, loses confidence in law enforcement. Promises of good governance will remain empty unless the government ensures that the police operate independently and professionally. Transfers, promotions and disciplinary actions must follow clear, transparent and consistent criteria. Political leaders must not be allowed to use these decisions to reward loyal officers, punish those who resist pressure or settle personal scores. Police careers should depend on professional performance and integrity, not political connections. Independence, however, must go hand in hand with accountability. It cannot become a shield for corruption, abuse of authority or misconduct. An independent body to receive and investigate complaints against police, effective internal oversight, public reporting and civilian monitoring are essential to ensure that officers remain answerable for their actions. The objective must be to protect honest officers from political interference while ensuring that those who violate the law face consequences. The RSP, which came to power promising a break from established political practices, must make its position clear. Silence in the face of alleged political pressure on the police risks reinforcing the very culture of interference that new political forces promised to end.
A change in political leadership means little if the institutions of the state continue to operate according to the same old rules of patronage and pressure. Police officers who engage in corruption or violate their official duties must not escape accountability. Equally, officers who uphold the law must not become targets of political retaliation. The police are not the instrument of any party, government or individual. They are a public institution entrusted with enforcing the law impartially and protecting citizens’ rights. If political forces that promise change continue to treat the police as an instrument of personal or partisan interests, the public has little reason to expect a different outcome. The government and lawmakers must turn police reform into a concrete policy priority, not merely a slogan. Nepal needs a police force that is professional in its conduct, independent in its decisions and accountable under the law. The police must answer to the rule of law, not to the whims of those in power. Only such a force can serve the public and contribute to lasting good governance.
