Kathmandu, Nov.8: The Royal Palace has returned to the government for reconsideration the controversial nomination of former Inspector General of Police Achut Kharel as Royal Nepali Ambassador to Myanmar, daily newspaper Naya Sadak said quoting a source in the Council of Ministers.

The government had sent the appointment to the Royal Palace for approval after nomination. Before completing his tenure, Kharel went on forced home leave in September immediately after the Dunai massacre when Maoists killed 14 policemen and injured 40 others in an attack on district headquarters of Dolpo.

Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi resigned after a stunning statement alleging the Army did not intervene to help the Police.

The government also mobilized the Army and either sacked or transferred several police officials after the Dunai debacle.

A Parliamentary committee member also asked the government to halt nomination pending the completion of an investigation of a police deal with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOL ) giving the company a long-term monopoly to supply lubricants to the Police in exchange for the construction of a petrol pump at headquarters in Naxal during Kharel’s tenure.

Inspector of General of Police Pradip SJB Rana and Kharel’s successor acknowledged there were shortcomings in the deal between the IOC and Police.