Retired Nepal Police AIG Lobbying for Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Commissioner Post

Retired Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Nepal Police, Bigyan Raj Sharma, has started lobbying to become a commissioner at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). Sharma, who is living a retired life after serving 30 years in the police force, served as a member of the commission formed to investigate the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24.

The investigation commission led by former Justice Gauribahadur Karki has completed its investigation and submitted its report to Prime Minister Sushila Karki. After submitting the report on Falgun 24, commission member Sharma has been engaged in maneuvering to become a commissioner at the CIAA.

The commission took about five and a half months to investigate the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24 and submitted its report. The commission submitted its report only after the House of Representatives elections were completed.

Sharma is accused of engaging in more maneuvering while serving on the commission compared to other officials. A high-ranking Nepal Police official told Ratopati that Sharma played a role in recommending departmental action and investigation under criminal law with prejudice, especially against high-ranking police and armed police officials.

Sources say that Sharma met with leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which succeeded in securing nearly a two-thirds majority in parliament even before the report was prepared, and discussed going to the CIAA.

CIAA Commissioner Kishore Silwal retired on Mangsir 25. Sharma has been lobbying to be appointed as the commissioner in his place. A high-ranking official of the Rastriya Swatantra Party told Ratopati, "Mr. Sharma has presented himself as a suitable candidate for the CIAA commissioner and has expressed his desire to work there.”

CIAA Chief Commissioner Prem Kumar Rai and Commissioner Jay Bahadur Chand are also due to retire in 10 months. The commission has five officials, including the Chief Commissioner.

There is a legal provision for the Constitutional Council to appoint CIAA officials. The Prime Minister is the chairman of the Constitutional Council. The members of the Constitutional Council include the Chief Justice, the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Speaker, and the leader of the opposition party.

Sharma, who is in the race to become a CIAA commissioner, has been accused of being close to gangster Raju Gorkhali. When Sharma was an SSP, the police were pursuing Gorkhali. A currently serving police officer stated that Gorkhali, who was absconding in a 10 crore check bounce case, was being transported in Sharma's own vehicle when the police stopped the car and apprehended Gorkhali. At that time, Sharma was moving around showing his SSP identity card. However, Sharma never clarified the allegation. Ratopati could not reach him for comment on this matter.