Complaint Filed Against Balen Shah Demanding Action Over Alleged Citizenship Irregularity

A complaint has been filed at the Ministry of Home Affairs demanding action against senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balen Shah.

Yuvraj Safal filed the complaint on Friday at the Ministry, demanding necessary action under the Citizenship Act and the cancellation of Shah's citizenship for unilaterally changing his surname. His complaint has been registered. 

In his complaint, he stated, 'Former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balendra Sah, obtained a citizenship certificate with number 5192 from the District Administration Office, Mahottari, on the date of 2063 Poush 6, where his surname was mentioned as Sah. However, when obtaining a copy of the citizenship certificate from the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, on the date of 2079 Ashadh 19, after becoming the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, his surname was seen mentioned as Shah. As Balendra Sah has obtained a copy of the citizenship certificate by changing his surname with false details, committing an offense related to the Citizenship Act, 2063, I present this application demanding the maximum penalty related to the Citizenship Act for him.'

Stating that any Nepali citizen wishing to change their surname with facts and reasons has a legal provision under Section (17) of the Nepal Citizenship Act 2063, Safal stated in the complaint, 'Therefore, if Balendra Sah wishes to change his surname, there is a provision to change the surname by completing the necessary legal process and applying to the concerned body. But it needs to be investigated how he changed his surname, whether he completed the process under Section (17) of the Citizenship Act or not.'

Yuvraj Safal mentioned in the complaint that the original file submitted by Balen while obtaining the citizenship copy on 2079 Ashadh 19 at the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, should also be investigated. The complaint was registered demanding the cancellation of the citizenship obtained by Balen using false details and the maximum penalty under the Nepal Citizenship Act 2063. 

It has also been demanded that Balendra Sah be immediately arrested, his citizenship cancelled, and he be sentenced to up to five years in prison along with a fine of 1 lakh rupees.