The nexus of crime and politics

Police investigations have revealed the involvement of prominent political leaders and administrators in a fraudulent scheme that has reportedly amassed up to Rs 5m from 875 individuals by falsely promising to facilitate their migration to the United States as Bhutanese refugees. A warrant for the arrest of former minister and CPN-UML Secretary, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, has been issued, while his son, Sandeep, has already been taken into custody. Additionally, Tek Narayan Pandey, the secretary at the Office of the Vice President, and Indrajit Rai, a security expert and adviser to former home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, are also currently being held by the police. Police earlier arrested Sagar Thulung from Morang, Tanka Gurung from Panchthar, and Sandesh Sharma from Dang. Sanu Bhandari, an associate of Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, and Keshav Dulal, the former personal secretary of Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala, are also in police custody based on complaints filed by various people.

Police are preparing to charge them under organized crime. This is not the only case with the involvement of political leaders. Chhiring Dumdul Lama, who was convicted by the Humla District Court for stealing ancient statues of gods and goddesses, was appointed as a minister in the Karnali Province Government by CPN (Maoist Center). Lama was not even a member of the provincial assembly. Subsequently, a case was filed against this decision in a higher court.

Rajiv Gurung aka Deepak Manange, a member of the Gandaki Province Assembly, has faced accusations of engaging in criminal activities. He was released after serving a jail term in a murder case. In the previous term, Gurung played a decisive role in forming the government in the Gandaki Province Assembly. Manange, who was elected to the province assembly from Manang, joined CPN (Unified Socialist) after the election. In another incident, leaders of a students’ union affiliated with the Nepali Congress attacked Professor Prem Chalaune on the premises of Tribhuvan University last year, using an iron rod and baton. Although a case was filed against the assailants, they subsequently submitted an application to the Ministry of Home Affairs, seeking withdrawal of the case. Nepali Congress lawmaker and former minister Tek Bahadur Gurung has been found guilty in a corruption case. Gurung and 11 others, including former minister Badri Prasad Neupane, have been convicted for causing a loss of Rs 315.21m to the state. The conviction stems from leasing out 60 ropanis of land in the Kathmandu Fun Park, under the Social Welfare Council, to a private party at a low price. In another incident, a leaked audio recording revealed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Dhaka Kumar Shrestha soliciting Rs 20m from hospital promoter Durga Prasai. He was quickly suspended by his party. Former minister and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Vice Chairman Bikram Pandey has been accused of embezzling Rs 2.13bn in the Sikta Irrigation Project. Although the Special Court has acquitted Pandey, the decision has been challenged at the Supreme Court. A case has been lodged at the Supreme Court against former minister Dambar Shrestha who got a proposal for registration of land plots in Lalita Niwas under different individuals’ names endorsed by the Cabinet. The anti-graft body is seeking the recovery of Rs 96.5m from Shrestha. Investigation has shown that there was the involvement of senior leaders of major parties in the Lalita Niwas scandal. Furthermore, investigations have revealed the involvement of high-ranking political leaders in various instances of corruption. This includes the procurement of widebody aircraft for Nepal Airlines, irregularities in the procurement of a security printing press, and embezzlement of funds allocated to Maoist cantonments. These incidents underscore a concerning pattern of political leaders and government officials abusing their power for personal gain. Prof Dumbar Chemjong, the head of the Central Department of Anthropology at Tribhuvan University, made a poignant observation about the state of politics, stating that there is a troubling trend of accepting, covering up, protecting, and embracing criminal activities within the political sphere. “This tendency has prevented politics from making a meaningful and positive impact on society, instead allowing it to become a safe haven for individuals with criminal backgrounds,” he added. Impunity thrives when political parties shield individuals involved in criminal activities, a phenomenon observed from central to local levels. Despite law enforcement agencies amassing substantial evidence during investigations, the accused often go unarrested due to political influence and pressure. Civil rights activist Shyam Shrestha emphasizes that injustice prevails in the country as crime reigns supreme, thanks to political protection. “No sooner we complete the investigation than we receive calls from political leaders for the release of the accused. There is a risk of losing the job if we don’t comply, while it perpetuates crime in society if the accused is released,” Shrestha quoted a chief district officer as telling him recently. “Politics has given rise to the culture of impunity in the society.” Hemanta Malla Thakuri, a former investigation officer of Nepal Police, expressed concerns about the detrimental consequences if criminal activities persistently receive political protection. “Political leaders are protecting corrupt individuals, goons, real estate developers, and tax evaders, among others. Our politics is headed in the wrong direction,” he added. Resham Chaudhary, the mastermind behind the infamous Tikapur massacre, was elected from Kailali-1 constituency in 2017 and is currently serving a jail term for his involvement in the massacre. Chaudhary, who contested the election while remaining underground, was brought from prison to take the oath of office and secrecy. Similarly, Mohammad Aftab Alam of the Nepali Congress, who has been accused of burning people alive during the 2008 Constituent Assembly election, successfully contested the 2017 election in the Rautahat-2 constituency and is currently serving a jail term. These cases serve as striking examples of how our society often prioritizes factors such as power, political affiliation, wealth, and community connections over an individual’s qualifications or track record when it comes to winning elections. Leaders have faced accusations of involvement in criminal activities even after attaining prominent political positions. Cases against political leaders encompass a wide range of offenses, including gold smuggling, rape, human trafficking, idol theft, illegal abortion, and murder. People’s representatives have also faced allegations of promoting untouchability and witchcraft as well as for theft, banking crimes, and involvement in organized crime, among others. Nepal Police Spokesperson Kuber Kadayat emphasized that the police investigation does not treat political leaders differently. “The law treats everyone equally,” he said, adding that the Nepal Police conducts investigations in a fair and impartial manner.