Kathmandu, November 5: Dan Bahadur Karki has approached Nepal's Supreme Court seeking reinstatement as Inspector General of Police (IGP), challenging the government's decision to remove him from the police leadership and appoint Dr Manoj Kumar KC as the new police chief, 24 Ghanta Nepal and Red Voice Nepal reported on Thursday.

Source: 24 Ghanta Nepal

Karki's lawyer Tikabahadur Kunwar said a writ petition against the appointment has been filed. At the time of the reports, however, the petition was still in the registration process at the court, which means the Supreme Court had not formally registered the case or issued any order on Karki's demand for reinstatement.

Source: Red Voice Nepal

Nov 5, 2026Day Karki approached the Supreme Court seeking reinstatement
Nov 4, 2026Cabinet removed Karki and appointed KC as Nepal Police's 34th IGP
Nov 10, 2025Date Karki was appointed Nepal Police's 33rd chief

The court move is a major new development following the Cabinet's decision on Wednesday, November 4, which removed Karki as IGP, moved him to a newly created post of special security adviser to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, and promoted Additional Inspector General Dr Manoj Kumar KC to IGP under Rule 41 of the Police Regulations. KC assumed responsibility as police chief the same day. The government has described the change as a reassignment of responsibilities rather than disciplinary action against Karki.

The removal has drawn political criticism. Rastriya Prajatantra Party lawmaker Gyanendra Shahi called Karki's removal an extreme abuse of state power, while Nepali media reports said Karki had refused the security adviser post and taken the dispute to court instead.

What happens next depends on the formal registration of Karki's petition and the Supreme Court's proceedings. Until the court rules, the Cabinet's decision remains in force and Manoj KC remains in charge of Nepal Police.