Government spokesperson and Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel has said that the reassignment of the incumbent Inspector General of Police (IGP) should not be interpreted as disciplinary action.

Speaking to journalists at Singha Durbar after Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Pokharel said the government had appointed Additional Inspector General (AIG) Dr. Manoj Kumar KC as the new Inspector General of Police. Meanwhile, former IGP Karki has been assigned the role of the Prime Minister’s Special Security Adviser.

Pokharel emphasized that the change should be understood as a routine reassignment of responsibilities, given that a new IGP has already been appointed.

Responding to questions from journalists about reports that Prime Minister’s Chief Adviser Kumar Ben had taken middleman Inam Sapkota’s mobile phone two days before its forensic examination, Pokharel said he was unaware of the matter. He described the reports as rumours and added that the concerned authorities would investigate if any such incident had occurred.

The government has formally assigned former IGP Karki the responsibility of serving as the Prime Minister’s Chief Security Adviser.