The Money Laundering Investigation Department has delayed the investigation against former Prime Ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal and former Minister Deepak Khadka. Although the video and pictures of Nepali and foreign currency burning when the protestors burnt the house on August 24th were immediately circulated on social media, the department raised the bond and started the investigation only after about two weeks. Former AIG Surendra Bahadur Shah, chairman of the Center for Security and Justice Studies, said the investigation into the incident had been delayed.

Here is a brief conversation with former AIG Shah in Kantipur by Gaurav Pokharel :  During the Gen-G rebellion, videos showing abnormal amounts of money found in the homes of some leaders including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba are circulating on social media, is this a matter that should be investigated or not? 

This is a subject to be investigated under the crime of money laundering. The source of that wealth should be investigated. The Money Laundering Investigation Department will find out the truth. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police can also assist in this. Since the source in this case is only a matter of undisclosed property, it is mainly the responsibility of the department in the current situation. When the police investigate any crime, if they find that the source is not disclosed, they will investigate the money laundering. 

The team of the department reached the scene only after 12 days, how likely is it to affect the investigation?  Why the

took so long was also a topic of discussion. It may have been delayed because the conditions on the opening day were not predictable. For crime investigation, you have to reach the crime scene as fast as possible. It is believed that the sooner it goes, the more evidence can be obtained and preserved. The general principle of investigation is that as soon as a crime is reported, the investigating agency should secure the scene and start the investigation. At that time, the ranco and difficult situation of the movement may have delayed it. Or, if there is another reason, they should disclose it. But it has been seen that the investigating agency was not active in the property investigation. 

What are the challenges of research now?

research is something you should proceed with as soon as you hear it. Otherwise, there is a possibility that everything will be destroyed. But even though it is late, there is no place to see burnt ashes, pieces of money or some other traces from the scene. They may have done that. After committing the crime, the criminal leaves behind some evidence, it is the responsibility of the investigating officer to find it. You have to work sensitively on it. 

What should the authorities pay attention to when investigating this?

It has come out that there is a separate place like a vault for money in that house. Yes/No, not verified. General safe can be everyone. But what came out in the video should be confirmed by the investigating officers. How much money was there? Is there money stored there or not? The investigating agency should have looked into these matters. Some things are also confirmed by circumstantial evidence. The video that came out can also be presented as evidence. A digital forensic lab can confirm whether the video is real/fake. It also helps establish the case in court tomorrow. Then the person who brought the burnt money can be searched and questioned. Money may be recovered from them. I can't say if a lot will be recovered, but something may come. 

During the investigation, the state agencies can take statements from the relevant leaders or not? 

While investigating this matter, like in other cases, taking statements, interrogating, etc. should be done. The owner of the house will also be questioned about the recovered amount. Even the people living there should be questioned about the source of money. I also watched the videos that came out. It seems that there are many places to research. Even the related character can be asked where the money came from, how much money was there, how much was lost. 

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