JANAKPUR: In the second last week of April, an audio conversation between a police officer and a businessman in Dhanusha was leaked. The recording allegedly revealed that a plainclothes police officer was collecting illegal ‘smuggling fees’ from businessmen in the name of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Govind Thapaliya, the chief of the Madhesh Province Police Office.

After the audio became public, tensions escalated between the Madhesh Province Police Office and the District Police Office over allegations related to financial transactions. Although the conversation suggested that money was being collected in the name of Provincial Police Chief Thapaliya, the case later took a different turn.

Following a preliminary investigation, the Madhesh Province Police Office suspended Senior Sub-Inspector Sagar Shamsher Rana of the District Police Office, Dhanusha. A press statement issued by the Madhesh Province Police Office in Janakpurdham on April 20 stated that Rana had personally contacted a businessman, fabricated a false narrative to create the audio, arranged its broadcast through media outlets, and acted in violation of police conduct with the intent of defaming the organization.

In around mid-2025, an audio recording of Sub-Inspector (SI) Baidyanath Das, then stationed in Hirapur, Sarlahi, demanding Rs 18,000 from a smuggler went viral on social media. Following its public circulation, police headquarters suspended SI Das on July 18, 2025.

On August 5, 2023, two police personnel from Rautahat and Sarlahi were suspended after being accused of accepting bribes from a jeep driver along the East-West Highway. Following the circulation of a video showing the exchange of money, Police Headquarters ordered action against Police Constable Sunil Kumar Yadav of the Harshaha Police Post under the Garuda Area Police Office, Rautahat, and Traffic Police Constable Bikash Kalwar of the Bagmati Post under the Provincial Highway Traffic Office in Pathlaiya, Sarlahi.

On May 31, 2021, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Nawal Kishor Thakur and Police Constables Annu Kumar Rai and Naresh Kumar Rai from Area Police Office Lahan in Siraha were suspended on charges of stealing liquor. The action followed the public release of a video on May 23, 2021, showing them taking various brands of alcohol from SK Hotel, located at Gadhiya Chowk in Lahan Municipality 23. The incident occurred during a prohibitory order enforcement operation when the hotel operator fled after seeing the police team arrive, after which the personnel were seen leaving with the liquor.

Madhesh Province Police Office. Photo: Birendra Raman

These are only representative incidents. There have been numerous cases where police officers, entrusted with maintaining law and order and bringing offenders within the legal framework, themselves become involved in illegal activities ranging from financial misconduct to criminal offenses.

Many police personnel face departmental action for violating organizational conduct. In the Terai Madhesh border areas in particular, police officers deployed there are frequently accused of collusion and financial dealings with smugglers. Due to the easy access of smugglers to border police posts, allegations of smuggling operations being facilitated through informal arrangements are common. When such incidents become public, they damage the image of the police among the public.

Security experts say that when police officers responsible for peace, security, and crime control deviate from their duties, violations of professional conduct tend to increase. Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sarvendra Khanal says that police conduct must always remain disciplined and citizen-friendly, but such incidents occur when discipline weakens. He states that every police employee must understand their duties and responsibilities and uphold the dignity of the organization. He adds that failure to do so leads to involvement in wrongdoing.

1,400 police personnel punished in Madhesh in six years

According to data from Police Headquarters, from fiscal year 2020/21 to April 13, 2026, of the current fiscal year 2025/26, at least 1,449 police employees in Madhesh Province have faced disciplinary action. The majority of those punished were police constables.

In fiscal year 2020/21, 191 personnel were punished. In 2021/22, 219 were punished. In 2022/23, the number was 298. In 2023/24, 235 personnel faced action, and in 2024/25, 322 were punished. In the current fiscal year up to April 13, 2026, an additional 184 personnel have already been disciplined.

DIG Govind Thapaliya, Chief of the Madhesh Province Police Office, says that since police officers are also part of society, mistakes can occur. He adds that when any officer deviates from professional conduct, the entire organization suffers reputational damage, making it essential to uphold discipline and professionalism. He stresses that police must work with citizens at the center while fulfilling their responsibility to maintain peace and security.

He further states that a purification campaign is currently underway within the police organization. Under this initiative, those found guilty of wrongdoing are punished while good performers are rewarded. He adds that the long-term goal is to make the police organization a trusted friend of the public.