Nepal HM, who jailed Oli, quits over financial row

Kathmandu: Nepal Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigned on Wednesday after facing allegations regarding his financial conduct and bu­siness links. Gurung, appoin­ted on March 27, had famously ordered the jailing of former premier KP Oli within 24 hours of taking office. In a Facebook post, Guru­ng said he resigned to avoid a conflict of interest and ensure a fair probe, adding, “For me, ethics is greater than position.”

Pressure had been building on him to resign after reports said he held shares in firms linked to controversial businessman Deepak Bhatt, arrested recently in a money laundering case. The controversy surfaced after documents made public on Sunday showed Gurung holds shares in his own name in Star Micro Insurance and Liberty Micro Insurance, companies associated with Bhatt and currently under investigation following his arrest.

Shah himself will handle the home ministry portfolio for now.

This is the second cabinet exit in April, following the removal of Labour Minister Dip Kumar Sah on April 9. Sah was sacked after RSP president Ravi Lamichhane recommended action for the improper reappointment of Sah’s wife to a government board. —PTI