He was a ninth grader, and at the time, some close relatives insisted that there was no future in studying in the village and that Dan Bahadur Karki should go to the city for further education. However, his family wanted him to continue his studies in the village.
But Karki was determined to move to the city. His family had a small shop that sold general clothing. Being rebellious since childhood, when his family did not permit him to leave, he took a torn bag and went to Bhote Damai (a village tailor). He said to him, “Here’s a piece of umbrella cloth. Please patch this torn bag.”
Bhote Damai stitched the bag for him. Carrying that same bag stitched by Bhote Damai, he set out for Kathmandu. He completed grades 9 and 10 at Lalitpur Secondary School.
Since he had arrived in Kathmandu at an early age, he gradually learned about different opportunities alongside his studies.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in the Kathmandu. Because of his good command of English, acquaintances often advised him to apply for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Karki also began preparing for a position there.
Around the same time, applications opened for the position of Police Inspector. Though his main interest and preparation were for the Foreign Ministry, Karki was determined to get a job no matter what. He applied for the Inspector position, and surprisingly, he was selected.
On April 1, 1998, he was appointed as a Police Inspector. After completing his training, he was deployed to Sindhuli during the 1999 elections.
Karki gained experience working from field assignments all the way up to the IGP Secretariat. He also served at the Armed Police Battalion No. 1 in Nepalgunj.
He worked at the District Police Office in Rukum. Since it was during the period of armed conflict, Rukum was considered a highly risky posting. However, Karki recalls with pride that all police personnel under his command remained safe.
He also worked at the Area Police Office in Kakarbhitta, Jhapa, a border point adjoining India, known for being both attractive and challenging.
Afterwards, he was stationed at the UN Branch of the Police Headquarters in Naxal. Similarly, he served at the District Police Office in Tanahun and the Area Police Office in Abu Khaireni.
As a DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police), he worked at the New Baneshwor Police Circle. At that time, he took strict action against black marketing of petroleum products, which brought him into the limelight.
He also served at the District Police Offices in Saptari and Kaski, the Narcotics Control Bureau in Koteshwor, the Traffic Police Division, and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
Likewise, he worked at the Central Bureau of Investigation and the District Police Office in Kapilvastu. After being promoted to SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police), he took charge of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Office. During that time, the high-profile Bhutanese refugee scam operation was underway, and Karki handled the case proceedings, while Manoj KC led the arrests.
After his promotion to DIG (Deputy Inspector General), he served as the Central Police Spokesperson. Later, he worked at the Lumbini Province Police Office. Upon becoming AIG (Additional Inspector General), he led the Human Resource Development Department, and from there, he was appointed to the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari. Eventually, he became the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Since joining the police service, Karki has received 14 awards, all officially recorded and accompanied by cash prizes.
Four years after joining the service, on April 13, 2003, Karki received a United Nations Medal. The UN Mission in East Timor awarded him this honor.
At the same time, the Police Headquarters also conferred him with the Provincial Service Medal.
The UN Mission in East Timor awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation on October 31, 2003. Later, on December 9, 2003, the United Nations itself presented him with a Letter of Appreciation and Thanks.
Similarly, the Government of Nepal awarded him the Prabal Janasewa Shree medal on September 20, 2018. The Gandaki Province government honored him on February 17, 2020, with a cash prize of NPR 5,000.
On November 10, the Cabinet meeting appointed him as the 33rd Inspector General of Police (IGP). Due to the 30-year mandatory service limit stated in police regulations, the current IGP, Chandra Kuber Khapung, will retire on November 12. Consequently, Karki will assume leadership on November 12.
Because of the 30-year service limit, he will serve as IGP of Nepal Police for about two and a half years.
Born on July 30, 1972, in Ghamir, Malika Rural Municipality–7, his parents are Krishna Bahadur and Chandra Kumari.
Karki holds bachelor’s degrees in Humanities and Social Sciences, Education, and Law, and a master’s degree in Political Science.
