Who’s afraid of DIG Shrestha?
The Home Ministry is in the middle of a major controversy after Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak was accused of interfering in a visa scam investigation that could possibly involve him. The case has sparked national attention and raised serious questions about power abuse, political influence, and justice.
At the center of the storm is DIG Himalaya Kumar Shrestha, a senior police official who was deeply involved in investigating a widespread corruption case related to visit visas. Reports suggest that fake documents were used to issue large numbers of visit visas, possibly with the involvement of powerful officials.
Things took a sudden turn when DIG Shrestha was transferred from his position—without the required approval from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). This action clearly broke the rules, as police officers engaged in ongoing corruption probes cannot be transferred without the CIAA’s green light.
This move raised eyebrows immediately. Public outcry followed, and so did complaints from the CIAA itself. Many believe the transfer was not just a routine reshuffle, but a calculated attempt to weaken the investigation.
Sources close to the investigation say Minister Lekhak acted out of fear. DIG Shrestha was said to be making significant progress in the case, and his findings might have pointed fingers in powerful directions. Allegedly, to avoid exposure, Lekhak rushed to have Shrestha moved.
However, the plan backfired. After pressure from the public and watchdog bodies, DIG Shrestha was reinstated to his position. In another shake-up, Om Bahadur Rana who had replaced Shrestha was then removed from the post.
The entire incident has raised new questions about the transparency and fairness of corruption investigations in Nepal. Many are asking how deep the rot goes and whether political leaders can freely interfere with justice to protect themselves.
The CIAA’s role has also come into the spotlight. While it managed to push back against the transfer, critics say stronger protections need to be in place to prevent such actions from happening again. The case has sparked debates on the separation of power between law enforcement and political leaders.
This isn’t the first time a high-ranking official has been suspected of using their power to avoid scrutiny, but the boldness of the transfer and the quick backlash make this case different. With DIG Shrestha now back in his post, eyes are on him to continue the investigation without fear or interference.
Nepal waits to see how far the investigation will go and who else might be caught in the growing web of the visit visa scam.
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