A video showing a traffic police inspector assaulting a police constable in Nagdhunga was made public on social media on Wednesday.
Following the video’s release, an investigation by the police revealed the identities of both the assailant and the victim. The one who assaulted was identified as Traffic Police Inspector Jitendra Kumar Sah, and the one who was assaulted was Police Constable Madan Khadka.
As the incident occurred in uniform during duty hours in the middle of the road, both officers have been relieved of their responsibilities pending investigation. Spokesperson of the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari, SSP Shekhar Khanal, issued a statement saying that both individuals have been removed from duty for the investigation.
The police have initiated an internal investigation to determine the cause of the dispute. According to police sources, preliminary findings suggest that the assaulted constable had been illegally collecting money from vehicles entering Kathmandu.
“At the time of the incident, a vehicle with an Indian number plate was about to enter Kathmandu. Both the regular police and traffic police were on duty,” a senior police officer said. “It appears the constable was seen taking money from the Indian vehicle. Even if money was taken, resorting to physical assault is unacceptable, which is why the inspector is also being investigated. Instead of using violence, departmental action should be taken if wrongdoing is found.”
