Author: space4knews

A team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has confiscated several digital devices from Bhotekashi Heli Resort in Sindhupalchok. SSP Santosh Khadka stated that the team was dispatched to investigate a complaint filed approximately 15 days ago by a Chinese woman who reported a robbery at the resort. The woman claimed that 90,000 Chinese yuan, gold jewelry, US dollars, an iPhone, and a laptop were stolen, and when the resort failed to provide these items, the team proceeded to the location. Kathmandu, June 6.

On Tuesday, the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, responsible for probing crimes in three districts of the Kathmandu Valley, visited Bhotekashi Heli Resort & Spa in Sindhupalchok and recovered several digital devices. The reason behind this office’s investigation in Sindhupalchok has attracted attention. SSP Santosh Khadka confirmed that the team was sent to investigate the robbery reported by a Chinese national.

According to him, nearly 15 days prior, a Chinese woman had filed a complaint with the Crime Investigation Office alleging she was robbed at the resort. The victim reported the theft of 90,000 Chinese yuan, gold jewelry, some US dollars, an iPhone, and a laptop, police sources said. Despite requests during the inquiry, the resort refused to provide access to the digital devices, SSP Khadka added.

After the requested items were not supplied, the team was dispatched to recover them. Police allege the robbery occurred in the last week of the Nepali month of Falgun (mid-March), but the resort management ignored the issue, leading the woman to file the complaint out of necessity. Due to the delayed reporting, which took almost two months, resort staff reportedly deceived the victim by claiming progress had been made. SSP Khadka noted the team’s visit to retrieve necessary evidence to facilitate the ongoing investigation.

The Supreme Court has ordered the release of former Minister Rajkumar Gupta on NPR 5 million bail, overturning the Special Court’s previous detention order. Gupta was accused of accepting bribes related to the appointment of officials and staff transfers at the Land Commission. The Supreme Court found no evidence of bribery and ruled that detention was unnecessary, granting bail under Section 7(घ) of the Special Court Act, 2059.

On 6 Jestha in Kathmandu, the Supreme Court bench comprised of Justices Sharanga Subedi and Sunil Kumar Pokhrel issued the order stating that since there was no proof of bribery, Gupta should be released on bail rather than kept in custody. This decision reversed the Special Court’s initial directive.

The case involved allegations against former ministers Rajkumar Gupta and Ranjita Shrestha for accepting bribes. Claims included multiple deposits and withdrawals from Gupta’s account up until 32 Jestha 2081 BS. However, the Supreme Court examined various aspects of the case and concluded that Gupta’s detention was not warranted. Notably, it found no evidence that Kham Bahadur Pun was appointed to the Land Commission in Kaski, which supported their verdict.

The Special Court had earlier, on 16 Poush 2082 BS, ordered Gupta’s detention in connection with corruption charges, citing seven grounds including complaints against the minister and audio transcript excerpts allegedly proving bribery transactions. Despite these, the absence of recovered bribe money led the Special Court’s decision to be overturned by the Supreme Court, which released Gupta on bail instead.

A total of 218 candidates have applied for the vice chancellor positions at eight universities. According to the Ministry of Education, 50 applications were received for Tribhuvan University, 38 for Purbanchal University, 38 for Pokhara University, 19 for Sudurpashchim University, 20 for Mid-Western University, 11 for Lumbini Buddhist University, 15 for Agriculture and Forestry University, and 27 for Rajarshi Janak University. The ministry released this list on Wednesday.

A 10-day open call was announced on 25th Baisakh for new vice chancellors. Following the dismissal of vice chancellors through an ordinance, the process to select new ones began. A committee chaired by Education Minister Sasmita Pokharel has been formed to recommend names for the vice chancellor posts. This committee will establish expert subcommittees to shortlist candidates. A new procedure has also been issued for this selection process.

Candidate evaluation will be conducted based on educational qualifications, research experience, strategic vision, work plan, and presentation. An initial assessment will shortlist the top 10 candidates with the highest scores, whose names will be publicly announced. Subsequently, public feedback will be collected. The final phase will involve presentations and interviews. Candidates will be required to propose strategies for university reform, expansion of research, administrative improvements, and enhancement of academic quality.

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree and have at least 10 years of research and academic experience. High ethical standards, non-affiliation with any political party, and a self-declaration of no intellectual plagiarism in writing are mandatory. Candidates must be at least 40 years old and must have no conflicts of interest with the respective universities. Appointment of vice chancellors will not be based on political bargaining or influence.

Summary: The Home Ministry, which falls directly under Prime Minister Balen Shah, has been operating without a dedicated minister for nearly a month. Since former Home Minister Sudhan Gurung resigned amid allegations related to asset cleansing, no new minister has been appointed to the ministry since April 22. On May 14, the government formed an investigative committee chaired by former Justice Achyut Prasad Bhandari, instructing it to submit a report within 15 days.

May 19, Kathmandu: The Home Ministry, considered the most sensitive government department, has been under the indirect supervision of the Prime Minister for almost a month. Since the resignation of Sudhan Gurung on April 22, no distinct minister has been assigned to oversee the Home Ministry; operations are currently managed under the direct oversight of Prime Minister Balen Shah.

Given the sensitive nature of security and administrative procedures, the absence of a dedicated department minister has directly impacted service delivery. The Home Ministry holds responsibility for implementing and regulating nationwide peace and security, policies, laws, standards, and plans. It also manages the security of designated individuals, critical sites, infrastructures, and diplomatic missions.

The ministry oversees the country’s overall peace and security, intelligence gathering, monitoring, and action against terrorist activities, as well as criminal investigations. It commands all 77 District Administration Offices, the Nepal Police force of approximately 80,000 personnel, and the Armed Police Force comprising about 38,000 personnel. Responsibilities for crime prevention, control, and investigation also fall under the Home Ministry’s jurisdiction. Issues related to citizenship, firearms, explosives use and regulation, along with detention and prison security and refugee affairs, are within the ministry’s working domain.

Recently, amid potential entry of Rohingya refugees into Nepal, border checkpoints have been tightened. In such circumstances, the continued absence of a dedicated minister in the Home Ministry, which carries the country’s overall peace and security responsibilities, has further intensified challenges. According to the Work Division Regulations 2026 BS, the Home Ministry is tasked with 52 responsibilities, many of which are exclusive to its domain.

The Home Ministry is considered one of the most coveted cabinet portfolios after the Prime Minister’s office. There is usually active competition to hold this position. Given the prolonged absence of a dedicated Home Minister, the lack of political leadership concerning internal security has raised various concerns. Questions persist regarding who should handle primary responsibilities related to security, administration, and crisis management in the minister’s absence. Several operational decisions require immediate direction from the Home Minister, who plays an essential role from crisis management to operations.

Former Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had also been issuing operational plans and directives during the fake Bhutanese refugee case. The lack of high-level political leadership is evident in policy implementation. According to an Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Nepal Police, “During the tenure of the former Home Minister, many senior officials were arrested; now, without a Home Minister, who has been held accountable? The police do not have the authority to take action against senior officials without orders.” He added, “Delays in transferring authority granted by police regulations might also be due to the absence of a minister.”

Former Home Ministry Secretary Chandi Prasad Shrestha stated that operational tasks are managed through the Home Secretary, so there are no major issues. He said, “The absence of a minister could cause problems in policy decision-making, but it is not a significant disaster. Once the ministry is separated, appointing a minister is natural.”

Currently, without a minister, the Home Ministry’s activities are being directed by Sudhan Gurung’s personal secretary under the instructions of Prime Minister Balen Shah. Even after Gurung resigned, his personal secretary James Karki remains in office. Karki personally visited to oversee the removal of the squatter settlement in Manohar Kinar.

Sudhan Gurung fell into controversy after being linked with businessman Deepak Bhatt, who was arrested amid issues in the asset cleansing investigation. Shares hidden in the asset declaration and shares in companies of a disputed businessman were revealed, prompting Gurung to submit his resignation to the Prime Minister on April 22. At that time, he wrote on Facebook, “I take seriously the questions raised regarding shares and related matters. Morality is greater than position. Public trust is the greatest power. Let there be an impartial investigation into my case.”

Twenty days after his resignation, on May 14, the government formed an investigative committee. The Council of Ministers established the committee chaired by former Justice Achyut Prasad Bhandari on May 11. Members include Auditor General Shobhakanta Paudel and Joint Attorney General Achyut Mani Neupane. The committee was given 15 days to present its findings; half of this time has already passed. The committee intends to study the facts thoroughly and submit a report with recommendations to the government.

With the Home Minister post currently vacant, there is a possibility that Sudhan Gurung could return to the Home Ministry after the conclusion of the investigation.

May 20, Pokhara – Subash Pradhan, the operator of Bhote Koshi Heli Resort and Spa Limited, who was initially arrested on February 5, 2026 (Magh 23, 2082 BS) on charges of banking fraud, has been arrested once again. With assistance from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Teku, Pradhan was taken into custody on May 17 (Jestha 3) and brought to Pokhara. He has been granted an additional three-day detention by Kaski custody on Tuesday, May 21, while police continue their investigation.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Naveen Karki, stated that the arrest followed a complaint filed by China Bahadur Rana Bhat, the former chairman of Bhote Koshi Heli Resort and Spa Limited based in Pokhara. Investigations revealed that Pradhan issued a check worth NPR 70 million to China Bahadur, the main shareholder, as payment for shares. China Bahadur has explained that he became the principal shareholder and that the resort was operated jointly by Samir Kumar Nepal (Morang), Chhiring Sherpa (Sindhupalchok), and Subash Pradhan (Nuwakot).

Initially, from 2021 (2078 BS), the resort was managed by China Bahadur, Samir, and Chhiring. According to China Bahadur, Subash Pradhan joined as a participant after approximately three years. Due to the resort’s inability to repay the loans taken for its operations, Nepal Bank Limited has initiated auction proceedings. On May 14 (Jestha 1), Gorkhapatra Daily released a public notice announcing the commencement of the auction process. According to the loan recovery department of the bank, an auction process has been initiated for 27 ropani 6 aana of land in the former Marmung-1 area along with the structures of the resort constructed on the property.

The auction is scheduled for June 19, 2026 (Asar 5, 2083 BS), at 11 a.m. at the Kathmandu Banking Office. However, prior to the auction, Pradhan was arrested in connection to China Bahadur’s complaint. While China Bahadur, the key shareholder, agreed to transfer his shares by issuing the NPR 70 million check to Pradhan, he stated that although the share transfer was completed, he remains personally liable for the debt. “Had the agreement been properly fulfilled, this situation would not have arisen. Due to non-compliance, I was compelled to file the complaint,” China Bahadur remarked.

MP Amresh Kumar Singh of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has raised questions about Prime Minister Balen Shah’s leadership style just one and a half months after the formation of the government. Singh warned that Nepal risks following a Pakistani model of democracy, emphasizing that it should not become a ‘police state.’ He asserted that the current government will not complete its full term and criticized its inaction on the issues facing the Madhesh region. The remarks came on May 19 in Kathmandu.

Amresh Kumar Singh, who served as spokesperson for Balen Shah during the February 21 local elections, voiced his concerns over the prime minister’s leadership style. Prior to this, he had questioned the approach of Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle. In a recent interview with Nima Banjadel on Himalaya TV’s Yaksya Prashna program, Singh pointed toward Nepal heading down a path similar to Pakistan’s flawed democracy.

Highlighting Prime Minister Balen Shah’s tendency to bypass parliamentary processes, Singh compared the situation to Pakistan’s democracy, stating, “Just as businessmen are detained without following due legal processes, only to be released the next day, I firmly claim that billions of rupees have been transferred abroad from Nepal. We must not become a ‘police state’; instead, we need to be a ‘democratic state.’ Democracy in Pakistan has never been stable, is not stable now, and never will be, because their parliament was never allowed to strengthen.”

Singh described the current government as “so-called” and expressed frustration over its failure to address the sufferings of the Madhesh region. “I say to this so-called government: Go to the border and understand what pain means there! Is the Prime Minister not originally from Mahottari in Madhesh? Has Madhesh placed so much trust in you?” he questioned emphatically. He also criticized the prime minister’s approach of circumventing parliament.

Singh argued that the constitution does not grant anyone the license to do whatever they want after coming to power. “Perhaps new MPs think they won because of me, which may be true; perhaps the Prime Minister, Balen, or their team believe that too. But it is not just the group running metropolitan cities; they are trying to run the entire country,” Singh said.

He claimed that he has never pushed to become a minister, firmly rebutting any such allegations by stating, “I am not a broker.” He also expressed objections to the government’s efforts to remove squatter settlements, noting, “But once demolished, they are not rebuilt. Even the holding center in Banepa is facing issues.”

Expressing doubts about whether the constitution will remain intact until the upcoming local elections, Singh said, “If the current constitution remains, the upcoming local election will take place. The problem lies not in the policy but in the intent behind it.”

Watch the complete interview here:

Landless residents of Jitpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan City submitted a memorandum to the Bara Division Forest Office outlining seven demands. They have called for alternative housing and resettlement before being forced to vacate their settlements and demand the issuance of red cards to secure legal ownership. Warning of a three-phase protest if their demands are not met, they plan to hold neighborhood meetings, encircle offices, and block highways. June 6, Bara.

Landless residents from various wards of Jitpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan City in Bara have presented seven demands. On Wednesday, landless people and informal settlers from 10 wards submitted a memorandum at the Division Forest Office, threatening a three-stage protest if their demands remain unmet. Representatives, local leaders from informal settlements, and local organizations gathered at the Division Forest Office to voice their concerns.

They appealed to the Division Forest Office to refrain from actions that frighten the people and to provide clear reasons along with resettlement plans for peaceful coexistence. They warned against labeling forest settlers as encroachers and intimidating them. The memorandum states, “Citizens who have paid taxes for years, are registered voters, hold citizenship, have electricity and drinking water connections, have schools and health posts, and on whom the government has fulfilled all responsibilities, to threaten them as encroachers is inhuman, unjust, and unconstitutional.”

Entire settlements in areas like Pathlaiya ward no. 1, Tangiyabasti of ward no. 16, Piluwa-Mahendranagar, Chakri of ward no. 22, and Khayarghari of ward no. 14 in Jitpur Simara lack red cards. Local leaders say fear is rising because last year the government started settling communities on forest lands, triggering concerns about eviction. Sukumbasi leader Ramesh Sapkota from Tangiyabasti said, “It is not wrong for the government to remove informal settlements, but if all settlements are treated uniformly, it will spark a major rebellion.”

Some settlements in various wards of Jitpur Simara are on forest land where government agencies previously allowed settlements. Hence, they demand no eviction without alternative arrangements. Recently, after bulldozers were used to clear settlements near the three-numbered bridge in ward no. 22, residents were alarmed. The Division Forest Office has issued notices to remove other settlements as well, prompting local representatives, landless individuals, and informal settlers to submit the memorandum on Wednesday.

The office is reportedly preparing to evict settlements in the Dudhaura River area of ward no. 1 and the eastern part of Pathlaiya. Division Forest Chief Sujit Kumar Jhaka stated that apart from a few houses in east Pathlaiya and settlements near the Dudhaura River, no other evictions are planned currently. “We have not instructed eviction of all forest-bordering settlements, nor issued any such notice,” he said.

The demands are as follows:

1. Immediate halt to eviction of landless people from wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 16, 17, 18, 21, and 22 of Jitpur Simara.
2. No use of bulldozers or force on any settlement without alternative housing, resettlement, and respectful arrangements.
3. Swift issuance of red cards to legalize ownership for citizens who have inhabited these areas for decades.
4. Collection and verification of data of landless, informal settlers, and squatters via the National Land Commission and issuance of red cards to verified individuals; initiate the process for others.
5. Management of public resources such as land, rivers, public property, ensuring protection of human rights and social justice principles.
6. Immediate cessation of force, intimidation, threats, and discriminatory behavior against landless, squatters, and informal settlers.
7. Seek long-term solutions through dialogue among local government, Land Commission, public offices, and stakeholders.

If demands remain unfulfilled, they will initiate a three-phase protest plan:

1. First phase: Neighborhood and ward-level public gatherings, signature collection, peaceful sit-ins, protests, and handing over memoranda to concerned authorities.
2. Second phase: Encirclement of Division and Sector Forest Offices, public demonstrations, protest assemblies, street debates, and civic campaigns.
3. Third phase: Sit-ins around municipal and administrative offices, encirclement of Tribhuvan and Mahendra Highways; if force is used, indefinite closure of both highways is threatened.