KATHMANDU, Nov 10:  The age dispute of Tara Dhwaj Pandey, a high-ranking officer in the Nepali army, has recently become complicated. Although Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Prabhuram Sharma recommended Pandey for the post of Lieutenant General, his age dispute kept escalating. Regarding his age dispute, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had also raised concern and sent a letter to the Ministry of Defense regarding Pandey's age dispute. After that, the CIAA inquired about his dispute, resulting in further complications in this issue.

On Thursday night, the Department of Judge Advocate General of Nepali Army discussed the issue of Major General Pandey’s age dispute. “The Department of Judge Advocate General of the Nepali Army, which oversees issues pertaining to the law of the army, discussed the issue for answering to the Ministry of Defense. Perhaps the discussion was about him as his age dispute has surfaced. The CIAA has inquired with the Ministry of Defense. Since the Ministry of Defense had to answer to the CIAA, the discussion was held at the Department of Judge Advocate General," said a high-ranking source in the army.

There was a growing controversy inside and outside the army regarding high-ranking officer Pandey's age dispute. News related to this dispute had been circulating for a few days. Inside the army, age disputes have been a recurring issue. The CIAA had raised the matter concerning Pandey's age dispute and had sent a letter to the Ministry of Defense a few days ago.

According to the source, there was a discussion at the Department of Judge Advocate General saying that if Pandey gets promoted, the Ministry of Defense may get into more controversy later. Currently, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka is in the earthquake-affected area and he will be coming to Kathmandu today. After this discussion, it is said that Major General Pandey may resign due to mounting moral pressure on him.

Questions have been raised regarding Pandey's promotion recommendation, as his date of birth is different on his educational qualification certificates and citizenship documents. A complaint was filed at the State Affairs Committee of parliament regarding this issue. When Pandey joined the army as an Officer Cadet in 1986, his citizenship certificate indicated a date of birth of December 8, 1966. However, controversy was raised after it was revealed that his educational certificate stated a birth date of January 25, 1965.

Pandey's SLC board certificate, campus records and Tribhuvan University Examination Control Office registration card show his date of birth as January 25, 1965, but it has been alleged that he altered the date of birth in his citizenship to December 8, 1966.

 
• Tara_Dhwaj_Pandey
 
• CIAA
 
• Ministry_of_Defense
 
• age_dispute