A Bold and Unconventional Start: Nepal’s New Home Minister Sparks Debate

KalimNews, Kathmandu, April 4, 2026 : On the very evening of his appointment, Home Minister Sudan Gurung set a decisive tone for his tenure—one that has already stirred widespread attention across Nepal’s political and institutional landscape.

Without delay, Gurung instructed Nepal Police Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki to immediately arrest former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Both figures had been implicated by a commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, which was formed to investigate the suppression of Gen Z-led protests in September.

Despite receiving a security briefing urging caution, Gurung proceeded with urgency. He also held discussions with Armed Police Force (APF) Inspector General Raju Aryal—who himself had been recommended for prosecution by the same commission. Officials advised restraint, warning that legally arresting leaders from long-established political parties could provoke unpredictable consequences.

Gurung, however, remained unwavering.

He personally visited Nepal Police Headquarters in Naxal. According to security officials, he even threatened to “stay at the headquarters” until the arrests were executed. This firm stance prompted the late-night summoning of the Secretary at the Ministry of Law and Justice for consultations on legal procedures. By the following morning, both Oli and Lekhak had been taken into custody.

Since then, Gurung has emerged as one of the most active figures in the government.

Gurung’s assertive approach has not been limited to law enforcement. The day after assuming office, he traveled to Pulchowk in Lalitpur to select his ministerial residence. By Sunday, he had moved into a building previously designated for Supreme Court Justice Nahakul Subedi.

This particular residence, along with another in the same complex, had been reserved exclusively for Supreme Court justices and the chief registrar since March 3, 2023. Notably, the judiciary was reportedly not informed of Gurung’s decision to occupy the premises.

“The government has provided no formal information regarding placing other individuals in the residence of a justice,” said Bimal Paudel, chief registrar of the apex court.

Former Justice Balaram KC also expressed concern, stating, “The Constitution of Nepal provides the judiciary with the power of judicial review over executive actions under the principle of separation of powers. In such a context, ministers and judges should not live within the same premises. Living in the same compound is inappropriate.”

Interestingly, Gurung made this move on Saturday, March 28—a public holiday—when staff from the Ministry of Urban Development were not on duty. According to an aide to one of the justices, Gurung entered the Pulchowk residence complex, inquired about the justices, inspected vacant units, selected one, ordered it cleaned, and moved in by Sunday.

The developments have unfolded rapidly under the government led by Balen Shah. Within just seven days, nine high-profile leaders and businessmen have been arrested under Gurung’s supervision—including a former prime minister, ministers, lawmakers, and prominent business figures.

The crackdown began within 24 hours of his appointment. On Chaitra 14, the arrests of KP Sharma Oli and Ramesh Lekhak marked the beginning of a continuing series of actions.

As arrests continue, legal proceedings have also begun to take shape. Habeas corpus petitions for former minister and Congress leader Dipak Khadka and UML Lumbini Province lawmaker Rekha Sharma have been scheduled for hearing in the bench of Supreme Court Justice Shreekant Paudel.

In Dipak Khadka’s case, the petition was filed by his wife, Binita Khadka, while Rekha Sharma’s petition was filed by Chintamani Sharma. Khadka was arrested on Sunday as part of an investigation into money laundering.

Rekha Sharma, on the other hand, faces serious allegations of employing a minor as a domestic worker and committing offenses against a child. Several years ago, a young girl was rescued from her residence by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

At the time, then-Mayor Balen Shah wrote on his Facebook wall on Magh 29, 2081: “Sorry, little one! The government has made it so that no case will be filed against your abuser. Do not panic. Your time will come.”

He further added, “To end such discrimination and crimes, and to hold perpetrators accountable, you and many children like you must study and understand society.”

The scope of arrests has widened significantly.

CPN-UML leader Karna Bahadur Malla has been arrested on charges related to rape. According to Lalitpur District Police Office SSP Hobindra Bogati, he was taken into custody from Satdobato on Saturday. A complaint had been filed by a young woman accusing Malla of rape at a hotel in Balkumari. The victim, a resident of Kalikot, initially filed a complaint related to forced abortion before later submitting a rape allegation.

Meanwhile, industrialist Shankarlal Agarwal, chairman of the Shankar Group, has been arrested on charges of money laundering. He was detained on Friday by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation and is currently in police custody.

Authorities stated that his arrest is linked to financial transactions involving businessman Dipak Bhatt, who had already been arrested on similar charges. Suspicious funds were reportedly transferred from Jagdamba Steel’s bank account—under the Shankar Group—to Bhatt’s account, which was flagged by the Financial Information Unit of Nepal Rastra Bank.

Following this discovery, Nepal Rastra Bank initiated communication with the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, which then sought further details from the Inland Revenue Department. The investigation is now examining financial links between several entities, including Jagdamba Steel, Himalayan Re, Infinity Holdings, Ayushma Nepal, and Anjana Nepal.

High-Profile Individuals Detained or Released

• KP Sharma Oli – In custody
• Ramesh Lekhak – In custody
• Karna Bahadur Malla – In custody
• Dipak Khadka – In custody
• Rekha Sharma – In custody
• Rajkumar Aryal – In custody
• Chhavi Rijal – Released
• Dipak Bhatt – In custody
• Shankar Agarwal – In custody
• Shulabh Agarwal – In custody

Gurung’s early days in office reflect a leadership style that is both bold and unconventional—marked by swift decisions, direct involvement, and a willingness to challenge established norms. While some view his actions as a necessary push for accountability, others raise concerns about institutional balance, due process, and procedural integrity.

As Nepal continues to witness these rapid developments, the unfolding situation raises an important question: Will this assertive approach strengthen governance and accountability, or deepen tensions within the country’s democratic institutions?