Defence & Security

Nepali Army has taken Major General Prem Shahi into military police custody charging him with breach of army discipline.

Shahi was taken into custody soon after he entered the Nepali Army headquarters in Kathmandu on Tuesday afternoon.

Nepali Army spokesperson, Krishna Bhandari, said Shahi will remain in custody until the military police complete investigation regarding the breach of discipline.

The army has not specified his crime or fault, but alleged that he was involved in “anti-Nepali Army activity”.

Shahi was due to retire on January 4. But he knocked on the Supreme Court’s door with a petition challenging decisions made by the army headquarters and the Defence Ministry pertaining to his age.

In his petition, he asserted that his service tenure should expire in January, 2024.

Just a week ago, on December 28, the apex court gave a verdict in his favour and ordered Nepali Army to keep him in service until January next year.

Nepali Army Act 2006 has set an age bar of 57 years to serve as a Major General.

Shahi is understood to have submitted documents with different dates of birth while applying for Nepali Army.

Spokesperson Bhandari said Shahi was taken to military hospital for medical check-up. “He will be kept in our custody until the investigation is over,” he said. 

A quick research shows Shahi a physically fit army officer with a passion for running. In 2001, he participated in a half maraton race in western Nepal, alongside famed runner Baikuntha Manandhar. 

His property details are public and are shared by Nepali Army on its website.