Additional Inspector General of Police Bishwo Raj Pokharel has filed a petition at the Supreme Court against Sunday’s government decision to appoint AIG Dhiraj Pratap Singh as the Nepal Police chief.

Pokharel filed the petition arguing he was appointed AIG 16 months before Singh and that the government flouted the seniority basis while promoting Singh. He has demanded that Singh’s appointment be annulled.

“Bishwo Raj Pokharel has filed a petition at the Supreme Court but the authorities are studying it,” said Devendra Dhakal, assistant spokesperson of the Supreme Court.

Another AIG Sahakul Thapa said he is also preparing to file a petition against the government’s decision. Thapa was appointed AIG nine months before Singh.

“I am in legal consultations now to file a petition,” Thapa told the Post.

While Pokharel was promoted as AIG in December 2020, Thapa got promoted to the position in July last year. Singh, together with two other police officers, was promoted as the AIG on March 31.

The two AIGs are dissatisfied with the promotion of Singh because he is junior to them.

However, ministers of the Sher Bahadur Deuba Cabinet have said the government can select one among the AIGs based on their work performance and they have unanimously chosen Singh.

Both Pokharel and Thapa are on leave after the Cabinet decision.

Senior Superintendent Bishnu Kumar KC, also the spokesperson of Nepal Police, confirmed that both officials were on leave. He, however, did not disclose for how long they are on leave.

Thapa told the Post that he is on leave for a few days.

Meanwhile, on Monday morning, Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey conferred insignia on Singh.