Kathmandu [Nepal], April 22 (ANI): Nepal’s Home Minister Sudhan Gurung resigned after allegations emerged linking him to share transactions with a controversial businessman under investigation for money laundering.
Gurung, who rose to prominence following the Gen-Z protests in September and won the Gorkha seat in the March 5 elections, was appointed Home Minister by Prime Minister Balendra Shah when he formed his Cabinet upon taking office. On Wednesday, Gurung submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shah and announced the decision on social media.
“I, Sudan Gurung, have been working honestly in the capacity of Minister of Home Affairs since Chaitra 13, 2082. In recent days, I have taken seriously the questions, comments, and public interest raised by citizens on issues, including my share. For me, morality is greater than position, and there is no greater power than public trust. The Gen Z movement that is rising in the country today, demanding good governance, transparency, and accountability, has also given the same message: public life should be clean, and leadership should be responsible. If anyone questions the government that was formed on the basis of the blood and sacrifice of my 46 brothers and sisters, the answer is morality,” Sudhan wrote on Facebook.
He added, “Therefore, with the aim of ensuring that there is a fair investigation into matters related to me and that there is no conflict of interest while holding office and that it is not affected in any way, I have resigned from the position of Home Minister, effective today.”
Gurung initially gained attention for taking action against high-ranking officials, including making arrests, but in recent times faced increasing criticism. Pressure mounted after documents released on Sunday showed he holds shares in Star Micro Insurance and Liberty Micro Insurance—companies linked to businessman Deepak Bhatt, who was recently arrested in a money laundering case.
As the issue intensified, voices within the ruling RSP reportedly called for Gurung’s resignation, citing potential conflicts of interest.
Gurung issued detailed clarifications twice, denying that he concealed financial information. He said his total investment in the securities market exceeds NRs 20 million and that all details are in official records. “I would not hide NRs 2.5 million worth of shares when my total declared assets exceed NRs 20 million. This is simply a matter of classification,” he said, adding the shares in question were acquired before he assumed office and were part of his declared portfolio.
He also argued being a shareholder does not imply direct association with all individuals linked to a company, and noted the investigation into Bhatt is being conducted by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation under the Ministry of Finance, not the Home Ministry.
Gurung dismissed related allegations and media reports as “sponsored rumours,” claiming corrupt individuals targeted by his actions were spreading misinformation. He insisted action against those accused of embezzling state funds would continue: “Those who have long set their sights on the nation’s treasury—built on the sweat and toil of the people—are now fearful. Media trials and sponsored rumours are nothing more than a reflection of their desperation.”
While he said his investments were made through a bank loan, he had not disclosed or mentioned this in the asset declarations submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, which were made public last week. His investments—NRs 2.5 million each in Star Micro Insurance and Liberty Micro Insurance as a founding shareholder—were not listed separately but included within a broader figure of NRs 27.45 million under shares traded in the securities market.
It was later revealed that these companies had not yet begun public trading, prompting questions about how such shares were categorized in the declaration. (ANI)
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