The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday quashed the Cabinet decision to appoint Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jaya Bahadur Chand as Inspector General (IG) of Nepal Police.

A full bench of SC headed by Chief Justice Sushila Karki issued the verdict ending the controversy over the appointment of DIG Chand as IGP. The decision has barred Chand from assuming the top post of Nepal Police. 

The apex court has directed the Prime Minister and Cabinet Office to take into account meritocracy and seniority as mentioned in Nepal Police Regulations while promoting police officers. 

On February 12, the government had decided to promote DIG Chand to the post of IGP by sidelining DIG Nawaraj Silwal and Prakash Aryal, who were first and second in line for the promotion based on seniority.

Two days ahead of the government decision, Advocate Kapil Dev Dhakal had filed a preemptive petition, accusing the government of trying to violate the rule of seniority in the appointment of the police chief.

On February 12, Deputy Inspector General Nawaraj Silwal, the first in line for appointment, moved the SC seeking an interim order to put on hold Chand’s appointment.

A full bench comprising five SC justices concluded the hearing on the case on Monday.