The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) at the behest of now suspended chief commissioner Lok Man Singh Karki used to operate a “safe house” in Dhapasi, Kathmandu, according to multiple sources at the CIAA. The “safe house” was being operated in full knowledge of Nepali Police administration, the sources told the Post.

The “safe house” was used as a gathering place for Karki’s loyalists who used to devise strategies there to pin down those people who were critical of Karki.

Inspector General of Police Upendra Kanta Aryal, National Investigation Department (NID) chief Deelip Regmi and SP NID Kumar Khadka at NID used to frequent the place, according to the sources.

The “safe house” has been closed now. But what the sources informed the Post shows how the CIAA under Karki was abusing authority and running a parallel government—the charges he currently faces in Parliament where an impeachment motion against him is under discussion.

“The house was being used for preparing personal details of judges, political leaders critical of Karki and even journalists,” said the sources, adding that Nepal Police had equipped the house with modern surveillance system donated by a foreign country.

The equipment were used for tracking call details and movement of people who were on “Karki’s list”.

According to the CIAA sources, Karki had made IGP Aryal fall in line with the threat of opening a case of “amassing disproportionate amount of property illegally”.

“This shows how the law enforcement agency was being manipulated by Karki to serve his personal interest. Karki would use police team to spy on former chief justice Kalyan Shrestha, incumbent Chief Justice Sushila Karki, judges and lawmakers,” the CIAA sources said.

According to officials of the anti-graft body, IGP Aryal used to visit Karki frequently. After making the police to dance to his tune, Karki had created 350 posts for police personnel at the anti-graft body where the number of postings earlier was 50.

During Karki’s tenure, police personnel were deployed as investigating officers in almost every department of the CIAA. Police personnel commanded civil servants in all regional office of the anti-graft body. “Police officers were assigned as investigating officers to carry out important investigations,” the sources said.

Such extensive was Karki’s clout that CIAA’s influence was seen in almost all the procurements made by the Nepal Police headquarters.

According to the sources, Karki had pressured Aryal to choose his relative Rohini Thapaliya as the supplier of necessary equipment for Nepal Police for Saarc Summit in 2014. “The materials were purchased directly within a week’s public notice,” said the sources.

The Office of Auditor General (OAG) has also pointed at irregularities in equipment purchased by police for the Saarc Summit. In its latest annual report, the OAG said due procedures were not followed while purchasing machines, communication equipment and CCTV cameras worth Rs 175.6 million.

Sources said Karki also used to intervene in promotion and transfer of police personnel.