Karki Commission Report Will Progress Only After New Government Formation; What About Rastriya Swatantra Party?

As public interest grows over the unreleased report of the inquiry commission established to investigate the youth protests in Bhadra, the government has stated that the process regarding the report will only proceed after the new government is formed. “There is natural public curiosity about the report,” said Chief Secretary Suman Raj Aryal. “It will take about seven to eight days; the new government is expected to form around the 10th or 12th. Only then will the process move forward.”

The report by the commission led by Gauribahadur Karki was submitted just a few days ago, and the interim government under Sushila Karki had planned to make it public. Following the cabinet meeting last Sunday, spokesperson and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal had indicated that detailed information would be provided on Monday. However, no further updates have been made available. “We are in discussions with officials from the Home Ministry. They say they are still reviewing the matter,” Chief Secretary Aryal explained.

Girish Chandra Lal, former chairman of the inquiry commission established to investigate events during the Madhes movement and a former justice, states that it is the current government’s responsibility to release the report. “It was appropriate to withhold its publication before the elections given the focus on the elections, which was a practical decision,” he said. “But after the elections, the government should have made the report public. Since the appointment process has not been halted, there is no reason for the government to withhold it now.”

Chief Secretary Aryal informed that the report will be handed over to the new government once it is formed, and that government will be responsible for receiving it. Regarding the current government’s possible publication of a summary of the report, Aryal gave a negative response. “That will not happen now. It will go to the new government, and I am following that directive.”