Dan Bahadur Karki

Dan Bahadur Karki is a Nepali police officer who has served in district, border, metropolitan and central investigative units since joining the Nepal Police as an Inspector in 1998, later rising through roles in narcotics control, corruption-related procedural work, Kathmandu Valley policing, human resource leadership and national-level administration before being appointed the 33rd Inspector General of Police in 2025.

Early Life and Background

Karki was born on 30 July 1972 in Ghamir, Malika Rural Municipality-7, Nepal. He is the son of Krishna Bahadur Karki and Chandra Kala Karki. He received his early schooling in his home district before moving to Lalitpur, where he completed secondary education at Lalitpur Secondary School.

He holds multiple academic degrees including a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), and a Master’s degree in Political Science from institutions in Kathmandu.

Police Career

Dan Bahadur Karki began his service in Nepal Police as a Police Inspector on 1 April 1998. Over his decades-long career, he has worked across districts, border regions, metropolitan units and central departments. His experience spans field command, crime investigation, administrative leadership and organizational management.

Early Years and Field Experience

Karki’s early policing years involved assignments in remote and high-priority security regions. During this period, he served in:

• Armed Police Battalion No. 1, Nepalgunj – Mid-western security and field operations.
• District Police Office Rukum – District-level policing and administration.
• District Police Office Tanahun – Crime investigation and public coordination.
• District Police Office Kapilvastu – Operational duties in a border-influenced district.
• Kakarbhitta Border Units – Cross-border crime prevention, surveillance and smuggling control.

Metropolitan and Specialized Roles

After several years in field duty, Karki transitioned to major metropolitan and specialized units. His responsibilities expanded into strategic enforcement and high-level investigative roles, including:

• New Baneshwor Police Circle (DSP) – City patrol, crime control and security management.
• Narcotics Control Bureau, Koteshwor – Anti-drug operations and surveillance coordination.
• Traffic Police Division – Traffic regulation, accident prevention and enforcement.
• CIAA (Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority) – Corruption-related procedural investigations.
• CIB (Central Investigation Bureau) – High-level criminal investigations and intelligence coordination.
• Kathmandu Valley Police Office (SSP) – Metropolitan policing, case coordination and safety planning.

Role in Major Investigations

Karki participated in several sensitive investigations during his tenure. His involvement in the Bhutanese Refugee Case included documentation, file handling and procedural supervision, while operational arrests were carried out by other officers. He also supported investigations related to smuggling, narcotics trafficking and organized metropolitan crime.

Rise to Senior Leadership

Karki’s progression into senior leadership was shaped by his long field experience and administrative capability. As Deputy Inspector General (DIG), he served as the Central Spokesperson of Nepal Police, overseeing media communication and nationwide public updates. As Additional Inspector General (AIG), he led the Human Resource Development Department and contributed to Kathmandu Valley’s strategic policing framework. On 10 November 2025, he became the 33rd Inspector General of Nepal Police, assuming command of the national police organization.

Major Investigations

Dan Bahadur Karki has been involved in several high-sensitivity investigations during his career, especially during his service in metropolitan, border and central investigative units. His roles primarily centered on documentation, case process coordination, evidence management and administrative oversight, while field-level arrests and tactical operations were carried out by operational teams.

Bhutanese Refugee Case

Karki’s most publicly recognized involvement came during the Bhutanese Refugee Scam investigation. His responsibility focused on the administrative side of the case—managing files, organizing statements, verifying documentation and coordinating legal procedures. Operational arrests were executed by separate units, but Karki supervised the case workflow to ensure procedural compliance and systematic handling of evidence.

Border Related Crime and Smuggling Surveillance

During his postings in border areas such as Kakarbhitta, Karki contributed to operations targeting cross-border smuggling and criminal networks. His work included monitoring illegal movement of goods, identifying high-risk transit points, coordinating with customs and surveillance teams, and supporting intelligence-based operations in border-influenced districts.

Narcotics and Drug Trafficking Investigations

His tenure at the Narcotics Control Bureau involved contributions to investigations related to drug distribution, trafficking routes, controlled substance violations and surveillance of suspected networks. He worked with specialized units in supporting intelligence-sharing, report preparation and inter-agency coordination for narcotics cases.

Metropolitan Crime Coordination

While serving in the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Karki was part of security planning and investigation coordination for high-profile metropolitan cases. This included case tracking, reviewing investigative progress, supporting intelligence linkage, and ensuring collaboration between valley-based police circles and central bureaus.

Corruption-Related Procedural Work (CIAA)

During his time at the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Karki participated in procedural aspects of corruption-related inquiries. His responsibilities included documentation review, administrative processing and coordination with investigative officers within legal frameworks.

Cyber and Social Media Security Observations

As a senior leader, Karki publicly highlighted emerging risks related to social media misuse. Although not tied to a specific case, his security statements emphasized digital threats, misinformation risks and the growing need for technology-focused policing within Nepal Police.

Senior Leadership Roles

Dan Bahadur Karki progressed into senior command positions after years of field service, investigative work and administrative responsibility. His leadership roles expanded across communication, human resource management, metropolitan policing and national-level organizational duties.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG)

As Deputy Inspector General, Karki served as the Central Spokesperson of Nepal Police. In this role, he handled nationwide communication, official briefings, media coordination and the dissemination of verified information during high-profile events. His responsibilities also included maintaining transparency between the police organization and the public, as well as managing strategic communication during sensitive cases.

Additional Inspector General (AIG)

At the AIG level, Karki led major structural departments within Nepal Police. He headed the Human Resource Development Department, where he oversaw officer training, career planning, personnel evaluation and organizational development. He also contributed to security planning, case coordination and administrative management within the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, one of the most operationally active divisions of the force.

Inspector General of Police (IGP)

On 10 November 2025, Karki was appointed as the 33rd Inspector General of Nepal Police. As IGP, he assumed full command of the national police organization, responsible for overall leadership, strategic direction, operational oversight and modernization efforts across all police units in Nepal. His appointment marked the culmination of nearly three decades of service in investigation, field command, administration and senior-level policing.

Awards and Honors

Dan Bahadur Karki has received multiple commendations and official recognitions during his long service in Nepal Police. These honors reflect his contributions in administrative work, field duties, and international peacekeeping missions.

United Nations Service Recognitions

• UN Certificate of Appreciation (2003) – Awarded for his professional conduct and contribution during the United Nations mission in East Timor.
• UN Letter of Appreciation (2003) – Issued in recognition of exemplary discipline and performance while serving under UN deployment.

National Honors

• Prabal Janasewa Shree (2018) – A national honor conferred for notable public service and organizational contribution.

Service Commendations

• Received multiple departmental commendation letters recognizing discipline, administrative efficiency, and case management.
• Awarded internal service medals related to long service, field responsibility, and organizational performance.

Total Decorations

According to public reports, Karki has received a total of fourteen official departmental and service commendations during his career.

Personal Life

Publicly accessible records do not provide detailed information about Dan Bahadur Karki’s personal life. Information regarding his marital status, family background beyond his parents, and private interests has not been disclosed in official sources or media reports. His public profile remains primarily focused on his professional career within Nepal Police, and no additional personal details have been made available to the public.

References