Police crackdown on public office brokers intensified

Kathmandu, Apr. : The Nepal Police and government agencies have launched a nationwide drive to eliminate middlemen from government offices, aiming to make public services more transparent, efficient, and free of complaints. The campaign comes as part of the government’s 100-point governance reform agenda.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Spokesperson for the Nepal Police Headquarters, Abi Narayan Kafle said that circulars have been issued to all police offices instructing staff to prevent the entry of middlemen and take strict action against anyone involved in illegal practices. “The work of monitoring, arresting, controlling, and taking legal action against middlemen has begun in offices where service recipients face harassment or undue influence,” Kafle said. Citizens are urged to report any attempts by middlemen to influence services via the emergency number 100 or the nearest police station.

The circular outlines several key measures, installing CCTV cameras at main entrances, keeping detailed visitor records, restricting unnecessary crowding, preventing illegal settlements of cases through informal panchayats, particularly in the Tarai-Madhes region, and taking legal action against middlemen causing trouble in offices providing direct services. Police officials have also begun deploying officers in plainclothes to gather evidence and prevent illegal activity. 

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Prabin Dhital, said that offices such as the Department of Transport Office and its offices, Land Revenue Office, and Foreign Employment Department are under constant surveillance. 

“We are working to ensure service recipients can access state services without interference. Plainclothes officers help us gather evidence and take timely action against those violating the law,” claimed SSP Dhital. 

Kathmandu police reported that 34 people were arrested from various government offices in the Valley over the past five days alone. 

SSP Dhital emphasised that the campaign builds on previous efforts but is now being implemented more intensively. “We are acting both spontaneously and based on complaints to ensure middlemen cannot influence service delivery,” he claimed.

Likewise, the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation has also issued a secretary-level directive banning middlemen from survey and land revenue offices across the country. 

Ganesh Prasad Sigdel, a land surveyor officer at the Department of Survey, said that only individuals presenting proper identity documents will be allowed entry and that office heads will be held responsible for lapses in implementation. “This is aimed at making service delivery effective and complaint-free. Employees must strictly follow the ministry’s instructions,” he added.

Police officials urge citizens to avoid seeking shortcuts through middlemen, even if it promises faster service. Sigdel stressed that waiting in line and following official procedures is essential to uphold the state’s responsibility to its people.

The campaign marks a stronger, coordinated approach by the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah to curb corruption and ensure fair access to services, addressing long-standing complaints in offices such as transport, passports, land revenue, and surveys.