Three Provinces Without DIGs for a Month, SSPs Leading in Interim

Kathmandu:  Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces have remained without Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) for over a month, with Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) currently commanding the regional police offices.

The leadership void emerged after the mandatory retirement of DIGs in all three provinces on March 17, 2025 (Chaitra 4, 2081 BS), following the completion of their 30-year service tenure.

In Sudurpaschim Province, DIG Ganesh Chand retired on March 17, leaving the province without a DIG since. SSP Prakash Malla is currently overseeing operations there.

Similarly, Karnali Province has lacked a DIG for over a month. Former DIG Janak Bhattarai was promoted to Additional Inspector General (AIG) and had reported to the Provincial Coordination Department. However, he too retired on March 17 due to the same 30-year service cap. Since then, SSP Shivkumar Shrestha has taken interim command.

In Gandaki Province, DIG Bhola Bahadur Rawal also retired on the same date, and the province is currently under the command of SSP Mahendra Khadka.

The delay in appointing new DIGs stems from the promotion process, where AIG promotions are prioritized before filling DIG vacancies. This procedural bottleneck may result in prolonged leadership gaps across the provinces.

Observers have raised concerns over the administrative and operational implications of extended DIG vacancies, especially in regions with growing security and law enforcement demands.