Nepal’s Home Minister, Sudan Gurung, a key figure in the Gen-Z movement last September, has stepped down from his position following scrutiny over his financial ties. Gurung’s resignation came after questions arose regarding his alleged business connections with Deepak Bhatta, a controversial businessman facing money laundering charges. Gurung made his resignation public through a social media post, emphasizing the importance of ethics and impartial investigations.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s administration, formed on March 27 after recent elections, has seen its second Cabinet minister exit within a month. Earlier, Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security Deepak Kumar Sah was dismissed for misusing his authority to retain his wife in an inactive position. The government, elected with a mandate to combat corruption, has been focused on transparency and accountability.
Gurung, along with other ministers, disclosed his financial assets on April 12, revealing significant wealth including cash deposits, company shares, and extensive land ownership exceeding legal limits. Defending his wealth accumulation, Gurung highlighted the distinction between earning ethically before and after joining the government. However, his investments in a micro-insurance firm linked to Bhatta raised additional concerns about his financial dealings.
Elected from the Gorkha-1 constituency in western Nepal, Gurung’s resignation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the government in upholding integrity and combating corruption.
