KATHMANDU: The President’s Office has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide clear justifications for the pardon of 34 individuals on Constitution Day.

Similarly, the President’s Office has urged the submission of personal details for the 34 individuals recommended for a pardon, a Home Ministry source said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has put forth a list of 34 individuals for potential pardons to be granted by the President on Constitution Day, which falls on September 20.

However, the President’s Office, citing a general legal loophole, has called for a transparent and well-defined rationale behind the recommendation for amnesty for these 34 individuals.

These individuals have faced serious criminal charges “contrary to the law” but have not been apprehended.

Five days ago, the Ministry of Home Affairs submitted a proposal to the President, recommending the pardon of 34 individuals who have been found guilty in various scandals, in observance of Constitution Day.

Many of these individuals have been sentenced in cases related to life imprisonment, smuggling, cooperative fraud, and other offenses.

There is a provision that allows individuals who have been sentenced to seek a pardon from the President through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Ministry of Home Affairs puts forth names for pardons using two criteria: firstly, based on the conduct of individuals serving their sentences in prison, and secondly, for those who have been sentenced but have not fulfilled their imprisonment term, the proposal is directly submitted by the Ministry.

The current list of 34 individuals falls under the latter category. According to sources, the recommendation sent by the Ministry has not provided any reasons for the proposed pardons.