Impunity reigns: Convicted NC leader mingles with top brass

Kathmandu, August 25 — Nepali Congress leader Surendra Prasad Singh has been sentenced to nine months in prison by the Supreme Court. Singh, who is the president of the Nepali Congress in Sarlahi district, was previously jailed for his involvement in a corruption case related to deforestation in the Manushmara irrigation project area.

On January 9, 2015, the Special Court convicted Singh of deforestation and sentenced him to one and a half years in prison, along with a fine of 28.9 million 74 thousand 460.

Singh appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority also challenged the ruling, arguing that the punishment was insufficient.

On February 27, 2024, the Supreme Court modified the Special Court's sentence, reducing the prison term to nine months and the fine to 14.4 million. Despite this, Singh has claimed that he was "cleared" by the Supreme Court, asserting that he has not been convicted. He has been criticized for meeting with high-ranking officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Prakashman Singh, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Bagmati Province Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama, despite his conviction.

Singh's corruption case dates back to 2001, when he, as chairman of the Manushmara Irrigation Consumers’ Committee, was involved in illegal logging. Over 18,000 trees were cut down and sold, with only some of the proceeds deposited into the government account. Singh had previously attempted to run for provincial assembly member but withdrew when the corruption charges emerged, instead nominating his brother Birendra Singh, who is now the Minister of Women, Children, and Sports in the province government.

Supreme Court Information Officer Govind Prasad Ghimire noted that imprisonment and fines in corruption cases cannot be avoided, even if the term is less than one year. Ghimire explained that there are no provisions to evade imprisonment in such cases.

Singh is considered a confidant of the Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.