KATHMANDU, April 7: Although two deputy inspectors general (DIGs) -- Nawaraj Silwal and Jaya Bahadur Chand -- are the forerunners in the race for the post of the new police chief, it has been revealed that DIG Prakash Aryal is the top contender among all incumbent DIGs in terms of internal grading.

Of the three contenders for the post of Inspector General of Nepal Police, Deputy DIG Prakash Aryal is ahead of the other two contenders in terms of internal appraisal, informed knowledgeable sources within the police force.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the top brass of Nepal Police told Republica that DIG Aryal may have earned “slightly more” marks than DIG Nawaraj Silwal and DIG Jaya Bahadur Chand, who are now in the limelight as the frontrunners for the top post of Nepal Police. 

The exact marks that the three officials earned over the years remain unknown. It also remains unclear how the copy submitted to the Supreme Court showed Silwal ahead of two other DIGs in terms of merit. 

The revelation has raised suspicion of foul play during internal appraisal of Nepal Police. In a writ petition lodged at the Supreme Court, DIG Silwal had presented himself as the rightful heir to the post of IGP based on the principle of merit and seniority. The apex court had sought all files of four DIGs in the fray for the top post of the police organization.

The informed sources said that DIG Aryal had earned more marks during internal appraisal during four years' tenure as DIG and even before his promotion as DIG. 

“Copies of the mark-sheet of the internal appraisal have been dispatched to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Public Service Commission and the police headquarters. Tallying the marks can reveal the actual truth,” said a police official privy to the issue.

 “Former IGP Kuber Singh Rana had appraised their performance during the first year of their tenure as DIG. IGP Upendra Kanta Aryal had appraised their performance in the last three years,” said another official. 

Sources at the home ministry said that DIG Aryal was ranked ahead of other officials while he was senior superintendent of police. A source said that erstwhile UML government had “groomed” Silwal as potential IGP and had given him higher grades during internal marking.  

“Former Home Minister Bhim Rawal had held the document related to their appraisal for few weeks. The foul play had started right from there,” said the official.

 
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