The Nepal Police headquarters has formed a committee to look into the allegation that Deputy Inspector General of Police Nawaraj Silwal forged the performance evaluation form before submitting it to the Supreme Court in a case of seniority during the inspector general appointment.

A Cabinet meeting last week instructed the police headquarters to investigate into the claims of document forgery and how DIG Silwal got the performance evaluation sheet that is supposed to be one of the most confidential documents.

The committee led by DIG Bijaya Bhatta has Senior Superintendent of Police Pawan Kharel; SP Raju Babu Shrestha and DSP Mohan Thapa as members.

The headquarters on Sunday wrote to the committee to begin its probe, without setting a timeframe to submit its report.

The controversy arose after DIG Silwal moved the Supreme Court, challenging the government’s decision to appoint Prakash Aryal as the new IG.

In the writ petition, DIG Silwal claims irregularities while reviewing the performance evaluation of the four DIGs contending for the top post. He claimed that the review panel deducted two points from his score in order to promote Aryal. Although the court did not stay the Cabinet decision to elevate Aryal as sought by the petitioner, it has asked the government to furnish a written clarification within two weeks on Aryal’s appointment.

Attorney General Raman Kumar Shrestha said the evaluation file is confidential and only the government has access to it. It was a matter of concern that DIG Silwal submitted a dubious copy of his evaluation, he said.

After consultation with the AG, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had decided to direct the police headquarters to probe the case.

The HQ has already questioned DIG Silwal for his repeated absences from important meetings summoned by newly appointed IG Aryal.

On March 21, the Supreme Court quashed the government’s decision to appoint DIG Jaya Bahadur Chand as the IG and instructed the Cabinet to take into account seniority, merit and performance while promoting officials. The bench had stated that “DIG Silwal has the highest marks” among the contenders.