Probe Panel Submits Report on Former Home Minister Sudan Gurung After Public Scrutiny

A three-member probe committee has submitted its report to Prime Minister Balen Shah after reviewing allegations surrounding former Home Minister Sudan Gurung and his asset and share investments. The panel, chaired by former High Court Judge Achyut Prasad Bhandari, handed over its findings at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar after questioning Gurung and four other individuals connected to the transactions.

The report is the latest development in a politically sensitive investigation that began after public scrutiny intensified over Gurung’s financial dealings. The government formed the committee on May 11 and initially gave it 15 days to complete its work, later extending the deadline by five days as the panel continued its review.

How the investigation unfolded

The committee was tasked with examining matters of public concern raised during and after Gurung’s tenure as home minister. According to official accounts, the panel included Comptroller General Shovakant Paudel and Joint Attorney Achyutmani Neupane as members, reflecting the government’s intent to combine legal and financial scrutiny in the probe.

During the investigation, the panel recorded statements from Gurung and four others involved in the disputed transactions. The committee then compiled its conclusions into a 45-page report and delivered it to the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday.

Why the report matters

While the contents of the report have not been publicly disclosed in the available coverage, its submission marks a major step in a case that has drawn wide attention in Nepal’s political circles. The probe touches on questions of accountability, transparency, and the handling of wealth by senior public officials.

The government’s decision to establish an independent committee led by a former judge also signals the seriousness of the allegations and the sensitivity of the case. With the report now in the hands of the prime minister, attention will likely shift to whether the findings lead to any further action, clarification, or public release.

What happens next

The immediate next step depends on how the Prime Minister’s Office and the government choose to handle the committee’s recommendations. If the report includes evidence of irregularities, it could trigger additional administrative or legal consequences. If it clears Gurung, it may still shape the political narrative around the controversy.

For now, the key development is straightforward: the investigation phase has ended, and the government has the committee’s findings in hand.