Nepal's Home Minister Sudhan Gurung Resigns After 26 Days in Office

Kathmandu. Sudhan Gurung, a leader of the Gen-Z movement that took place on Bhadra 23 and 24, took charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs on Chaitra 13. Gurung, who won the election from Gorkha Constituency No-1 representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party, had accelerated his pace from that very day.

However, after being embroiled in continuous controversy, he has been forced to resign within 26 days. On Wednesday, Gurung submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Balendra 'Balen' Shah.

Home Minister Gurung remained at the center of controversy and discussion for his haste in arresting former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and then-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, based on the recommendations of the commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki.

The morning after becoming minister, following the arrests of Oli and Lekhak, 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 just the beginning of justice. I believe the country will now take a new direction.'

He started a series of high-profile arrests. Former Minister Deepak Khadka, businessman Deepak Bhatt, and Shankar Group Chairman Shankar Lal Agrawal were arrested. After the high-profile arrests, Gurung started a 'countdown' on social media, mentioning the numbers. Among the accused he arrested, only businessmen Sulav Agrawal and Deepak Bhatt are currently in custody.

After KP Oli, Ramesh Lekhak, Lumbini Provincial Assembly member Rekha Kumari Sharma, and Deepak Khadka were released by court orders, Gurung spoke to journalists on the evening of Baisakh 3, saying, 'It seems judges are more powerful than ministers; I am now studying law.'

According to the cabinet decision on Chaitra 29, the property details made public by the Prime Minister's Office mentioned that Sudhan Gurung and his family owned about 260 ropanis of land. After it was found that 89 tolas of gold and 6 kilograms of silver were mentioned in Gurung's property details, he was criticized 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.'

After intense criticism, Gurung removed his status from social media. Those who know him closely say that Gurung became defensive after that. According to the Land Act, land ceiling limits may apply to Gurung. Gurung was also heavily criticized for the incident of renting 20 ropanis of land in Pokhara and not paying the rent.

Recently, the fact that he was a partner in the company of Deepak Bhatt, who is in the custody of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, came to light. Many questions were raised about his purchase of shares in Bhatt's Liberty Micro Insurance and Star Micro Insurance.

After questions were raised about the source of the funds, he claimed that he had borrowed the money to buy the shares. But the questions did not stop. Unable to provide a satisfactory answer regarding the shares worth a total of 5 million and his 'connection' with Bhatt, Gurung's journey at the Home Ministry has come to a halt. Gurung is now just a former minister and an RSP lawmaker.

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

On Chaitra 30, he observed the Narayangadh-Butwal road section. He expressed serious dissatisfaction with the representatives of the Chinese contractor company regarding the long-standing abandonment of the road. He instructed the Chinese company officials to accelerate the road work. Gurung was criticized for not paying attention to his jurisdiction while monitoring and giving instructions on two roads.