The Ministry of Home Affairs has received an investigation report on suspended Armed Police Force Additional Inspector General Banshiraj Dahal.

Anjani Kumar Pokharel, another additional inspector general, who led the investigation, handed the report to the ministry on Thursday.

The report concludes that Dahal engaged in conduct inconsistent with the standards expected of an officer and recommends disciplinary action under the Armed Police Force Regulations, 2015. Rule 110 of the regulations outlines the available penalties, divided into ordinary and special categories.

Special penalties include removal from service without disqualifying the officer from future government employment, and dismissal that bars the officer from future government service.

“The report has been submitted to the ministry with reference to this provision. The ministry will decide what action to take,” a senior APF source said. “The report contains all the relevant details concerning him.”

The report also includes Dahal’s statement. Investigators questioned him about his regular contact with middleman Inam Sapkota and his relationship with former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana.

Dahal acknowledged that he had known Sapkota for some time and had communicated with him, but denied engaging in any misconduct, according to the report.

Officials said Dahal and Sapkota had exchanged multiple lengthy messages on WhatsApp. Sapkota, who was taken into custody by the Nepal Police’s Special Bureau, is now being investigated on money laundering charges.

The investigation into Dahal began after information reached the home ministry that he had visited the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office at 3 am to meet Rana, who had been brought to the office citing security concerns. 

Dahal reportedly stayed for three hours before leaving.