Home Minister Sudhan Gurung's Controversial Tenure: From High-Profile Arrests to Scope Creep

Kathmandu. Sudhan Gurung, a leader of the Gen-Z movement that took place on Bhadra 23 and 24, was not only elected to the House of Representatives from Gorkha-1 but also secured a key ministerial position. As an RSP lawmaker, Gurung was appointed to lead the Ministry of Home Affairs in the government led by Balendra (Balen) Shah.

Upon assuming office on Chaitra 13, Gurung accelerated his pace. Following the recommendations of the commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, Home Minister Gurung not only showed interest in arresting former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and then-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak but also issued directives to the police.

After Oli and Lekhak were arrested the morning after he became minister, Gurung posted a photo of the bodies of Gen-Z movement martyrs on social media (Facebook) and wrote, 'A promise is a promise: No one is above the law. We have taken former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and outgoing Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak into custody. This is not revenge against anyone, but the beginning of justice. I believe the country will now take a new direction.'

After an interim cabinet was formed under the leadership of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, Sudhan Gurung had gone to surround the District Police Range, Kathmandu, demanding the arrest of Oli and Lekhak. Immediately after taking charge of the Home Ministry, he ordered their arrest.

He then began a series of high-profile arrests. Former minister Deepak Khadka, businessman Deepak Bhatta, and Shankar Group Chairman Shankarlal Agrawal were arrested. After these high-profile arrests, Gurung started a 'countdown' on social media, noting the numbers. He informed the public via social media that 10 high-profile individuals had been taken into custody.

Five of the high-ranking individuals 'counted down' by Home Minister Gurung have already been released following orders from the Kathmandu District Court and the Supreme Court. KP Oli, Ramesh Lekhak, and Lumbini Provincial Assembly member Rekha Kumari Sharma were released by court orders. Former Kathmandu CDO Chhabi Rijal, accused of ordering the firing during the Gen-Z movement, was released on bail by investigating officers. Shankar Group Chairman Shankarlal Agrawal, arrested on Chaitra 20, was released after being questioned by investigating officers from the Department of Money Laundering Investigation.

Currently, only former lawmaker Karna Malla, businessman Deepak Bhatta, former minister Deepak Khadka, and businessman Sulav Agrawal remain in the custody of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation and the police.

Home Minister Gurung has now stopped the 'countdown'.

On Chaitra 29, according to a cabinet decision, the Prime Minister's Office released property details stating that Sudhan Gurung and his family own approximately 260 ropanis of land. After it was found that 89 tolas of gold and 6 kilograms of silver were listed in Gurung's property details, he faced criticism on social media. He then wrote on social media, 'It is not your fault that you are born poor, but it is your fault if you die poor.'

Following intense criticism, Gurung removed the status from social media. Those who know him closely say that Gurung has become defensive since then.

Under the Land Act, Gurung may be subject to land ceiling limits. Gurung also faced severe criticism regarding an incident where he rented 20 ropanis of land in Pokhara and failed to pay the rent.

Is road monitoring within the Home Minister's jurisdiction?

Home Minister Gurung reached Roshi Khola in Kavre on Chaitra 24. While monitoring the BP Highway, which was damaged by floods on Ashoj 12, 2081, he instructed road officials to complete the construction quickly and build a safe road that prevents debris from falling.

On Chaitra 30, he inspected the Narayangadh-Butwal road section. He expressed serious dissatisfaction with the representatives of the Chinese contracting company regarding the long-standing abandonment of the road. He directed the Chinese company officials to accelerate the road work. Former DIG Hemant Malla stated that while monitoring and giving instructions on two roads, Home Minister Gurung did not pay attention to his own jurisdiction.

He said, 'There is a separate ministry to oversee roads; he should have spoken to the minister of the relevant ministry and the Director General of the Department of Roads.'

Although road safety issues lead to increased accidents, the responsibility for building safe roads lies with the Department of Roads and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure. Traffic police have been implementing measures to reduce other accidents. Former DIG Malla said, 'If roads are not built on time, public anger increases, which adds to security challenges. But if the Home Minister goes around trying to solve road problems himself, then the other ministries have no work left.'

Forgetting his responsibilities, Home Minister Gurung has begun to appear in a changing form. After the investigation file of former minister Deepak Khadka, who was arrested for money laundering, was sent to the Authority by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, he reached the Authority himself. Upon the file being sent, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung visited the Authority's office in Tangal and met with Chief Commissioner Prem Rai.

A high-ranking official at the Authority told Ratopati that they discussed advancing the investigation into Deepak Khadka.

Khadka was arrested by a Central Investigation Bureau team on Chaitra 15. After his arrest, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation had been investigating him after obtaining a remand.

Former DIG Malla says, 'The heads of constitutional bodies have their own defined work, and the executive cannot interfere in that.'