Additional Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Narayan Dutta Poudel has been promoted to Inspector General. A Cabinet meeting on Monday promoted Poudel, who currently heads the Administration and Human Resource Department, to the top post.

Poudel becomes the 13th Inspector General of the Armed Police Force and is scheduled to assume office on May 1. Inspector General Raju Aryal is set to retire compulsorily on the same day after completing his four-year tenure. Poudel is from the same batch as Aryal. He joined Nepal Police as an inspector in 1998 and was transferred to the Armed Police Force in 2001 after its formation.

Another Additional Inspector General, Banshi Raj Dahal, was also in the race for the top post. However, the Cabinet appointed Poudel, who was promoted to Additional Inspector General five months earlier than Dahal. Poudel was elevated to the rank on May 20, 2022, while Dahal was promoted on October 14 the same year.

If the existing 30-year service limit remains in place, Poudel will serve as chief until March 31, 2028.

A commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki had recommended departmental action against Poudel over incidents during the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9.

However, the government appointed him to the post, citing seniority within the organisation.