Deepak Thapa Appointed New Nepal Police Chief (IGP)

Deepak Thapa Appointed As 31st IGP of Nepal Police

The Government has appointed Additional Inspector General (AIG) Deepak Thapa as the Inspector General of Nepal Police (IGP). The Cabinet meeting appointed AIG Thapa, who was first in seniority, as the 31st Inspector General of Nepal Police. AIGs Sudip Giri and Tek Bahadur Tamang follow as second and third in seniority, respectively.

The appointment is based on seniority, competence, and efficiency, as per the prevailing regulations. The government appointed the most senior AIG, Deepak Thapa, accordingly. Thapa, who was currently heading the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police, had previously led the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari. He has efficiently commanded various departments under Police Headquarters, district police offices, and other police units. Thapa is recognized as a fearless and clean-image police officer in the organization.

Thapa’s leadership has been instrumental in investigating the fake Bhutanese refugee scam and government land encroachment cases. Thapa joined Nepal Police in 2052 B.S. as an Inspector, and he is regarded as excellent in both criminal investigation and command control.

If the Federal Police Act is not implemented, Thapa will serve as the police chief until 18 Bhadra. If implemented, his term will extend by six more months, i.e., until 18 Falgun. According to the Federal Police Act, 2080—registered in Parliament to replace Police Act 2012 and Police Regulation 2071—an IGP's tenure can automatically be extended by six months.

Thapa was appointed IGP under Clause 41 of Police Regulation, 2071, which states:
"When promoting to the post of Inspector General of Police, among the Additional Inspector Generals, or if not available, among Deputy Inspector Generals, the government shall appoint the most suitable candidate based on seniority, competence, efficiency, responsibility-bearing capability, leadership ability, and capacity to motivate and mobilize subordinates."

Thapa was in competition with AIGs Sudip Giri and Tek Bahadur Tamang. A native of Sipadol, Bhaktapur, Thapa was a Mathematics teacher before joining police service. In 2048 B.S., he qualified as a Lower Secondary Level teacher in the Education Service Commission exam. On 10 Mangsir 2050, Nepal Police announced vacancies for Inspector posts, and he applied as an Officer Cadet. Academically gifted, he topped both IA and BA from Bhaktapur Campus.

Promoted to DSP on 8 Bhadra 2063, Thapa had commanded police units in Maharajgunj, Khotang, Rukum, Morang, Makwanpur, Chitwan, and Sunsari. Promoted to SP on 8 Shrawan 2072, he then became SSP on 6 Falgun 2075, and led the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office. He was promoted to DIG on 17 Asar 2079, and then to AIG on 6 Chaitra 2079.

Thapa’s appointment came after IGP Basanta Bahadur Kunwar retired due to the 30-year service limit, along with nine other senior officers on Monday.

Before joining Nepal Police, Thapa was a permanent schoolteacher. After being selected as Inspector, he resigned from teaching. But due to delayed appointment, he returned to teaching for a while. He was appointed Inspector nine months later.

His journey from recruitment to IGP has been full of ups and downs. Though promoted to DSP in 2063 B.S., he was left out in SP promotion initially in 2071 B.S., which made his dream of becoming IGP nearly impossible. But four months later, he was promoted to SP. His promotion to SSP was a turning point—so much so that the government amended the Police Regulation just for him. At the time, the rule required four years of service to be promoted to SSP, but Thapa had served only about 3.5 years. The government reduced the requirement to three years, enabling his promotion, surpassing others in seniority.

Thapa was promoted to DIG in Asar 2079 and to AIG in Chaitra 2079. Now, after exactly two years as AIG, he has become IGP. He will lead the Nepal Police for approximately five and a half months.

Those who know him closely describe Thapa as a favored officer among political power circles, maintaining cordial relations with leaders from all parties. A police officer commented, “He avoids confrontation and doesn't take risks; if this management style continues as IGP, it could strain the organization.”

Police officials don’t have high expectations for internal reforms under Thapa, as he is seen as less resistant to political pressure. However, his strong coordination skills may help in enhancing resources and infrastructure.

The newly appointed IGP Deepak Thapa stated that his top priority is to make the police behave like real police. He said, “There are many issues in the police force; we need to move ahead with a coordinative approach. The existing action plan will be reviewed, and good practices will be continued. Although my tenure is short, we will collectively move forward to make the police force truly professional.”

Thapa emphasized addressing the lack of resources in the police and mentioned plans to strengthen the supervisory roles of officers to enhance policing. “Internal purification will be a key focus,” he added.

Thapa also said he would address the expectations of lower-level police personnel, who face basic challenges like food, shelter, and clothing. “I will work to improve facilities in barracks and ration supplies,” he said. Additionally, controlling digital crime, which has become a major challenge recently, is also one of his priorities during his tenure.

Thapa was born on 8 Mangsir 2028 B.S. in Sipadol, Suryabinayak Municipality–8, Bhaktapur. He holds an LLB in Law, a Master’s degree in Political Science, and has pursued studies in Master of Public Administration (MPA).

In the ranks of DSP and SP, he served as the Chief of District Police Offices in Rukum, Khotang, Sunsari, Morang, Makwanpur, and Chitwan. He also led Bagmati Province Police and the Valley Police Office, and has experience as the Chief of the Maharajgunj Police Circle Office in Kathmandu.

Due to his effective role in unsettled audit settlement works, he was awarded with commendation certificates and rewards in the years 2075, 2076, 2077, and 2078 B.S.

He is considered to have specialized experience in policing, human resource management, criminal investigation and management, as well as disaster management.

Career Timeline of Nepal Police IGP Deepak Thapa

Key Contributions & Highlights

• Led high-profile investigations: Fake Bhutanese Refugee Scam and Government Land Misappropriation Cases.
• Known for fearless and clean image within the Nepal Police organization.
• Praised for coordination skills, although less inclined toward taking bold risks.
• Advocates for:
  • Resource optimization,
  • Barracks and ration improvements,
  • Internal reform and digital crime control.
• Declared commitment to make "police feel like police again."

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