KATHMANDU: Investigations targeting leaders of Nepal’s traditional political parties, which began soon after the formation of the government led by Balendra Shah “Balen,” appear to be gaining momentum once again.
On Monday, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case against 18 individuals in connection with the passport printing scandal.
Although Nepali Congress leader and former Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba was not named in the case, there is speculation that she could come under scrutiny in other investigations, including the fake Bhutanese refugee case.
Meanwhile, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation on Monday detained CPN-UML Vice-Chairman Bishnu Poudel while he was attending a party program in Surkhet. He was subsequently brought to Kathmandu on Tuesday for further investigation.
The crackdown on senior leaders began shortly after Balen assumed office. In a Cabinet meeting held on March 27, the government decided to implement recommendations made by a commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki regarding the Gen-Z protests.
Based on that decision, police arrested former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak the following day and took them into custody.
Similarly, on March 29, just three days after the formation of the new government, Nepali Congress leader and former Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka was arrested as part of a money laundering investigation. However, Oli, Lekhak, and Khadka were later released following Supreme Court orders.
Although the government initially adopted an aggressive stance, its momentum appeared to slow after investigators struggled to substantiate cases against several high-profile detainees.
However, with Sudan Gurung’s return as Home Minister, the administration has once again adopted a more assertive approach, creating fresh unease within the country’s established political parties.
Balen’s tough stance unsettles traditional parties
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) general convention, Prime Minister Balen stated that his government would not spare those involved in corruption or the misuse of public property.
Responding to a suggestion from UML leader Pradeep Gyawali that the government should know when to apply the brakes as well as the accelerator, Balen remarked that his administration was moving forward on an expressway and would stop only after reaching its destination.
Just a day after that statement, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation detained UML Vice-Chairman Bishnu Poudel. Although Surkhet has air connectivity, authorities transported him to Kathmandu by road, a move that many observers viewed as an attempt by the government to project a hard-line stance toward established political actors.
The UML swiftly condemned the arrest, issuing an official statement that described the detention of its vice-chairman as part of a broader attack on the party and an act of political conspiracy.
Soon after Poudel’s arrest, a photograph of the 2074 BS electoral alliance agreement between the UML and the Maoists began circulating widely on social media. The image featured key political figures, including KP Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda,” Bishnu Poudel, Janardan Sharma, Oli’s former personal secretary Rajesh Bajracharya, and businessman Deepak Bhatta.
The circulation of the photograph fueled speculation online that Janardan Sharma could also face investigation or arrest. Several online media outlets amplified these rumors, further intensifying political discussions.
Amid the speculation, Sharma sought to dismiss the rumors by posting a late-night photograph on Facebook showing himself cutting a cake alongside Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Chandra Prasad Dhakal.
However, many of the reactions to the post were reportedly negative, reflecting the heightened political atmosphere surrounding the ongoing investigations.
Leaders could come under investigation
Public scrutiny of the lifestyles and wealth of leaders from Nepal’s traditional political parties has intensified in recent years. Allegations and questions surrounding the assets of several senior politicians have long circulated in the public sphere.
However, critics argue that investigations into many of these cases failed to advance in the past due to political influence and the protection afforded by those in power. As a result, the renewed focus on anti-corruption investigations has generated unease among many established political figures.
Several corruption-related cases involving leaders from different political parties remain under consideration in courts and investigative bodies. At the same time, there is a widespread public perception that some investigations and prosecutions have been pursued selectively, while others have been left untouched despite serious allegations. Consequently, calls have grown for supplementary investigations and, in some instances, fresh prosecutions.
The controversy surrounding the wide-body aircraft procurement case remains one such example. Questions have been raised about whether the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) pursued a selective prosecution strategy, with criticism extending even to former CIAA officials involved in the case.
Similarly, public debate continues over whether additional individuals should be brought within the scope of the investigation into the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal.
Among the names frequently mentioned in public discussions are former Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa “Badal,” Nepali Congress leader Arzu Rana Deuba, former Home Secretary Prem Kumar Rai, and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s then-personal secretary Rajesh Bajracharya.
Questions have also persisted regarding the controversial Giribandu Tea Estate land deal in Jhapa. Critics argue that decisions taken by the government led by KP Sharma Oli warrant further scrutiny. The issue continues to be debated in Parliament, the media, and on social media platforms.
Former Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Padma Aryal, who was associated with the matter, had previously challenged authorities to proceed with a full investigation if evidence existed.
Likewise, allegations of large-scale irregularities involving funds allocated to Maoist cantonments have repeatedly surfaced in public discourse. Despite recurring calls for accountability, no comprehensive investigation has moved forward on the matter.
The Lalita Niwas land scam has also generated concerns over whether investigations were conducted impartially and comprehensively. Similar debates continue to surround numerous other corruption and governance-related controversies that have shaped Nepal’s political landscape over the years.
Many of these allegations have, in one way or another, been linked to leaders from Nepal’s major traditional parties, particularly the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Centre). If the government continues to broaden ongoing investigations, a significant number of senior political leaders could potentially face legal scrutiny.
Such a scenario could create substantial challenges for established parties, potentially triggering leadership crises and reshaping Nepal’s political landscape.
Comment