Member of Parliament Aren Rai of the Shram Sanskriti Party has challenged the government to pursue and prosecute those involved in major corruption and murder cases, demanding answers from Home Minister Sudhan Gurung about the status of stalled investigations.
Speaking in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the federal parliament, on Thursday, Rai stated that his party is prepared to offer unconditional support to the government from outside, even if a two-thirds majority is required to take action against corrupt individuals.
Rai questioned the working style of Home Minister Gurung, asking for the whereabouts of files related to prominent past cases. “Where are the files for the Nirmala Panta murder, the palace killings, the Giri Bandhu Tea Estate, and the wide-body aircraft scandal?” he asked. “What kind of good governance is this, where someone is arrested today and released tomorrow? Were these scandals only discussed for popularity?”
Reminding the government that it is close to a two-thirds majority, Rai asserted that there would be no excuses for failing to act against the corrupt. “If a two-thirds majority is needed to take action against the corrupt, tell us, and the Shram Sanskriti Party is ready to support. We do not wish to join the government; we are ready to shoulder the responsibility from the outside to build the country and imprison the corrupt,” he said.
Unanswered Questions on Major Scandals
Rai expressed frustration over a perceived double standard, where individuals who incited vandalism and arson during past protests become ministers and MPs, while ordinary citizens face jail time. “Those who said ‘burn and hit’ during the Gen-Z movement, a social media and anti-corruption protest, are now ministers and MPs, but protesting youths are jailed?” he asked. “One should not fall into the pit they dug themselves; this government must stop showing a dual character.”
Referring to the impending end of the monsoon session of the Federal Parliament, MP Rai warned the government against any attempts to undermine federalism, secularism, democracy, and inclusivity by circumventing the legislative body. He assured that his party is closely monitoring the government’s every move.
The investigation into the Nirmala Panta murder case remains inconclusive six years after the crime. As of July 7, 2026 (Shrawan 22, 2083 BS), a new investigation committee has been formed, with active involvement from the Kanchanpur District Police Office and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the central investigative agency. However, the perpetrators have yet to be identified.
The palace killings, which occurred on June 1, 2001 (Jestha 19, 2058 BS), remain a mystery 23 years later, with the full truth still not revealed to the public, leading to recurring questions about the incident.
Regarding the Giri Bandhu Tea Estate land case, the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench overturned former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government’s decision to swap land on February 7, 2024 (Magh 24, 2080 BS). However, clarity is still needed on further actions and the involvement of high-ranking officials in this case.
In the wide-body aircraft procurement scandal, a special court has convicted four individuals, including the former chairman of Nepal Airlines Corporation, while acquitting a former minister. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Nepal’s anti-graft body, had concluded that corruption occurred and was preparing to file a case.
Background of Protests and Political Shifts
The “Gen-Z movement” against social media restrictions and corruption began on September 8, 2025 (Bhadra 23, 2082 BS), eventually forcing the then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government to resign. Sudhan Gurung emerged as a prominent figure in youth activism following the Gen-Z movement.
The Shram Sanskriti Party was founded in February 2026 (Falgun, 2082 BS) by former Dharan mayor Harka Sampang. Aren Rai was elected to the House of Representatives from Khotang-1 in the general elections of 2082 BS.
The monsoon session of the Federal Parliament is scheduled to conclude on October 2, 2026 (Asoj 16, 2083 BS). Home Minister Gurung faces increasing pressure to address these critical issues raised by MP Rai.
