KATHMANDU: Opposition parties, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), have raised serious doubts about the credibility of the investigation committee formed by the government to probe the controversial visit visa scandal involving Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
The probe committee, chaired by former Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi, was formed in a cabinet meeting on Monday. However, RSP and RPP criticized the committee’s impartiality, claiming it lacks the ability to deliver justice in the case.
Speaking during the House of Representatives session on Tuesday, RSP’s Senior Vice-Chair Dr. Swarnim Wagle expressed skepticism about the committee’s leadership, stating that Bairagi is himself under the radar of competent authorities and thus unfit to lead the investigation.
“Shankar Das Bairagi is favored by influential leaders and has been entangled in conflicts of interest. Our party believes he should not take on this responsibility. How can someone who is under scrutiny investigate others?” Wagle said.
Similarly, RPP’s Chief Whip Gyanendra Shahi described the committee as biased, saying, “We have objections to this committee. It was formed under questionable circumstances. If those who need to be investigated lead the committee, it is like a ‘cat guarding the milk.’ It will not deliver justice.”
Both RSP and RPP have boycotted the Tuesday parliamentary session in protest of the committee’s formation and continue to demand the resignation of Home Minister Lekhak. Since May 27, they have persistently called for Lekhak’s resignation and the establishment of a credible investigative body.
The controversy around the visit visa case remains a significant issue in Nepal’s political landscape, with opposition parties pushing for transparency and accountability from the government.
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