Kathmandu : The passports of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, former Home Secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi, former Chief of the National Investigation Department Hutaraj Thapa, and then Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal have been suspended.
Similarly, documents and equipment were seized during a raid at the residence of Bhushan Rana, brother of then Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba.
On the recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry into the Gen-Z uprising incidents, the government suspended the passports of Oli, Lekhak, and three others, while also prohibiting them from leaving the Kathmandu Valley without permission. The commission stated that these individuals must be available to appear before it at any time, so arrangements have been made to prevent them from traveling outside the Valley.
Commission chair Gauri Bahadur Karki said that since the investigation needs to begin with those who were in power at the time, the commission recommended a travel ban.
“The commission must be able to summon them whenever needed. We made decisions strictly within the mandate given to us by the government,” he said, adding, “After the investigation, they may also be proven innocent.”
During the Gen-Z movement, protest groups had demanded the immediate arrest and suspension of then prime minister and responsible officials. The government clarified that the commission has the authority to recommend suspension, passport bans, or other actions.
One member of the commission stated that the first phase covered five individuals, but gradually similar decisions will be made against others as well. According to him, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, all members of the then Council of Ministers, and senior security officials will also come under investigation. The cabinet had formed a three-member commission chaired by former Special Court chair Karki to investigate the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24 (September 8 and 9).
Other members of the commission are former AIG Bigyanraj Sharma and legal practitioner Bishweshwar Prasad Bhandari. The commission has also requested the Home Ministry to provide expert manpower to enable it to function effectively.
Meanwhile, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation raided Bhushan Rana’s residence in Jawalakhel. The department said the raid was conducted in connection with a money laundering investigation. The team, with the support of the police, carried out the search at Rana’s home. Bhushan, however, is currently abroad on a family trip since before the Gen-Z movement. PR
