Although Rakhap responded that CAN’s complaint was stalled at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the ministry claimed that the complaints investigated by Rakhap and the ministry differ. On April 27, Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel decided to seek a final explanation from the Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) and proceed with disciplinary action. The National Sports Council (Rakhap) returned the ministry’s directive letter citing technical reasons and was instructed to request necessary documents from CAN to continue the investigation. The probe into the first edition of the Nepal Premier League remains incomplete, and there is a risk that disciplinary action could be delayed or suspended due to CAN’s failure to provide the required documents.
May 15, Kathmandu – Following Minister Sasmit Pokharel’s final request for clarification from the Nepal Cricket Association on April 27, a decision was made to advance disciplinary proceedings. On that same day, the ministry also sent a directive letter to the National Sports Council (Rakhap), instructing the council to move forward with action given CAN’s lack of cooperation during the investigation into the Nepal Premier League (NPL) inaugural season. However, Rakhap has returned this letter to the ministry.
Rakhap claims confusion over the ministry’s letter and has communicated on Thursday seeking further clarification. “We have the report prepared by the committee led by Rakhap’s executive members, but we do not have the report from the committee formed by the ministry. Due to this confusion, we have sent a letter requesting clarification,” a Rakhap insider said. The ministry, in turn, stated that no letter from CIAA had been forwarded. “The ministry did not instruct that the letter should not be sent to CAN, but the circumstances are unclear,” the source explained.
Rakhap member secretary Ramcharitra Mehta confirmed the letter was returned to the ministry because of technical problems. “The letter was returned due to technical issues,” he said. Ministry spokesperson Jagdish Parajuli explained that, according to ministerial instruction, Rakhap has been directed to request documents from CAN and continue the investigation. “Since the investigation was stalled, Rakhap was asked to proceed by requesting documents from CAN. The complaint lodged by Rakhap is currently pending at CIAA,” he said. “These are different complaints. The investigation led by the ministry is separate. Because that complaint is stalled, Rakhap sought clarification.” Parajuli added that a decision would now be made after consulting Minister Pokharel. “No decision has been finalized by the ministry yet. It will be settled after discussions with the minister and within the ministry,” he said.
