Home Minister Sudhan Gurung Faces Internal Party Scrutiny Over Controversial Business Ties

Kathmandu. Discussions are underway within the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) regarding potential disciplinary action against elected lawmaker and Home Minister Sudhan Gurung.

According to sources, RSP General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti and Acting Chief of the Disciplinary Commission Ramakant Rimal held talks on Monday morning to discuss an internal investigation into the allegations against Gurung. Given the gravity of the matter, the party is preparing to hold further discussions and reach a decision during the Central Committee meeting scheduled for 3:00 PM on Monday.

Less than a month into his tenure as Home Minister, reports emerged alleging that Gurung is a business partner of controversial businessman Deepak Bhatta, who is currently under investigation for money laundering, as well as the Shankar Group business conglomerate.

Gurung is facing widespread criticism following reports of his connections to Deepak Bhatta, who is currently in police custody as part of a money laundering investigation.

'It has been reported in the media that the Home Minister is a business partner of middleman Deepak Bhatta. The General Secretary and the head of the Disciplinary Commission discussed this morning how to investigate the matter and proceed with disciplinary action. Since the party high command is meeting this afternoon, the investigation process will only move forward after a decision is made. The Disciplinary Commission will also initiate its own inquiry,' a source told Ratopati.

General Secretary Burlakoti stated that the party would proceed by questioning the individuals involved to determine whether Gurung's share investments were made illegally.

Expressing confidence that the government itself would investigate the matter following the media reports, he added that if proven guilty during the investigation, anyone would be subject to action.

Previously, the disciplinary committee had recommended action against Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Deepak Sah for allegedly abusing his position to appoint his wife as an active member of the Health Insurance Board. Based on that recommendation, Prime Minister Balen Shah had removed Sah from his post.