Controversy Over Secretary Krishnahari Pushkar’s SMS to Prime Minister Balen Shah and Subsequent Police Interrogation: Experts Weigh In
Image source, PMO
There have been various reactions following the SMS sent by Krishnahari Pushkar, Secretary of the Vice President’s Office, to Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ and the subsequent police interrogation or detention.
In the mobile message sent to the Prime Minister, Secretary Pushkar mentioned that his retirement is approaching and expressed interest in either the position of Chief Secretary or Ambassador. He sought guidance and necessary support from the Prime Minister. This message has been confirmed by multiple sources.
Following the message, the police summoned Pushkar for questioning but the Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that he was not arrested.
However, former administrative officials have criticized both the act of sending such a message and the police interrogation as inappropriate.
Attempts to contact Secretary Pushkar for comments on this matter were unsuccessful.
What is the main issue?
Image source, Nepal Vice President’s Office
After the government revoked approximately 1,600 political appointments through an ordinance, applications were invited for those positions. For the first time in Nepal, open applications were also requested for ambassadorial posts.
Pushkar, who is nearing retirement, wrote in his message: “Respected Prime Minister, the tenure for government secretaries is five years. There is a possibility for the Chief Secretary position only with your special attention. My retirement is confirmed on Ashad 24 [Nepali calendar]. I have also seen the advertisement for the ambassadorial post. I humbly request your knowledge, guidance, and necessary support in this matter.”
Following this message, reports emerged that the police detained Pushkar for a few hours on Thursday and then released him.
Home Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha confirmed that Pushkar was not arrested but only questioned. He stated that the police called him to understand the context of the message.
Regarding this matter, Home Secretary Shrestha told: “The police operate according to the law. The way this issue has been portrayed publicly is not true. No arrest warrant was issued nor was there any arrest. It was only a routine inquiry. However, the manner in which it has been publicized is inaccurate.”
What do experts say?
Former administrative professionals have stated that both sending such a message by Secretary Pushkar and the police interrogation or detention are inappropriate actions.
Former Chief Secretary Bimal Koirala said: “It was a serious mistake for the secretary to send such a message, and for the prime minister to take such action citing this reason is also wrong.”
“The secretary has not lodged a complaint but must maintain decorum. The prime minister should not publicize such incidents. Even if there are issues, the secretary should not be forced into a position; if he’s qualified, he will be appointed.”
He added that hearing about such a message being sent for the first time makes this case unusual.
Former Public Service Commission Chair and former Home Secretary Umesh Mainali also commented that actions from both sides were improper.
“If an employee exhibits disciplinary misconduct, the Civil Service Act provides arrangements for disciplinary actions. The Act clarifies who should take explanations and at which level punishment should be decided,” he noted.
“However, it is not appropriate for the police to arrest or detain in this manner. Police should not handle such cases like social crimes.”
Mainali said that while Secretary Pushkar should not have sent such a message, if disciplinary action is necessary, it should be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Act.
“If inappropriate content was written, disciplinary action would be warranted but police are not the proper authority to carry this out. There is a designated officer to seek clarifications. Such incidents should never occur,” he added.
