It must be established that the investigation into the former Prime Minister and Minister is not motivated by revenge. The investigation should not be unnecessarily prolonged. There should not be a situation where society is shown that an investigation is underway but never reaches a conclusion.
What you should know
The image of political leadership in Nepal has never been ideal because allegations of corruption, irregularities, and embezzlement continue to be leveled, but there is no investigation, no one is held accountable, and no one is acquitted.
There is no investigation because the mechanisms of power remain inactive due to being politically powerful. Even though the mechanisms of power remain silent, there has been intense criticism, questions and distrust from the public. The reaction to this is the Gen-G movement. Even after the country has experienced such a big movement, demonstration and chaos, if the powerful are not investigated, the country will fall into another misfortune.
After the Gen-G movement, in line with the sentiment and demand, the Money Laundering Investigation Department has started an investigation into the movable and immovable properties of three former Prime Ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba, KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal and two former ministers Arju Rana Deuba and Deepak Khadka. This has encouraged a society optimistic about good governance. This investigation should also be successful in establishing that no matter how powerful they are, they are not above the reach of the law. If those in political leadership are as blameless as they claim, a credible investigation is also indispensable to regain moral strength.
Deuba is accused of amassing illegal wealth through contracts, transfers and promotions, appointments, and self-serving lawmaking. Similarly, Oli is accused of making policy decisions to embezzle Giribandhu T-Estate land. He is also involved in the controversial issue of renting out Nepal Trust land at a rate of 100,000 rupees. A complaint has been filed with the CIAA against Dahal for embezzling money received in the name of supporting Maoist fighters. He is also facing allegations of amassing suspicious assets in the names of close associates. Arju is involved in the case of sending Nepali citizens to the US as fake Bhutanese refugees. His name is also linked to land irregularities in Tikapur. Khadka has been embroiled in controversy over granting hydropower licenses and contracts.
He is also accused of making cheque transactions 'while sitting in the ministerial quarters and ministry'. He is accused of using Scout's land more than it was rented out but forcing them not to pay the stipulated rent. He is also known as a supporter of leaders. But the source is not transparent. It is not appropriate to remain in political leadership after facing such controversies and allegations, which is why there is a need for investigation and judicial trial against them.
Deuba, Oli or Dahal are not just individuals, they are also symbols of Nepali power. As they have been becoming Prime Ministers in turn since the constitution was promulgated, the political system established according to the constitution has been discredited. For the longevity of the constitution and the people's return of the political system, economic, social and moral purification of political leadership is indispensable. Ideal leadership establishes ideal standards in politics. It can build the entire politics on the foundation of ideals. But when the top leadership is imprisoned on charges of corruption, irregularities and amassing unspeakable wealth, the rest involved in politics also seem to take it for granted. As a result, politics and corruption have become almost synonymous in society today.
The reason for this is clear, the lifestyle of most of those involved in political activities is opaque. Their legitimate sources of income are not visible, but their lifestyle is extravagant. Their expenses are immense. They are accused of corruption and irregularities, but they are not found to be resolved legally. Therefore, the belief that engaging in politics generally means getting away with it has become strong. There is a danger that society, which should raise questions and reject the accused leadership, will adapt to corrupt tendencies. That is why investigation and action are mandatory. This will disrupt the continuity.
Until now, there was no possibility of investigation or action because Deuba, Oli or Dahal were sharing power with each other or maintaining the possibility of doing so. It seemed like there was collusion in corruption and irregularities. After the Gen-G movement, a government was formed under the leadership of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. Society has also expected her to cooperate in the department's activities because she has already spoken out against corruption and is free from the burden of political compromise. Therefore, it is expected that she will cooperate. But some aspects should be taken into account as the investigation progresses. First, when the political situation changes, the new leadership tends to take revenge on the old leadership.
After the coup on Magh 19, 2061, the then King Gyanendra Shah also formed a royal commission with the aim of imprisoning leaders on charges of corruption, irregularities and unscrupulous earnings. Anti-corruption efforts easily gain support from society, but the government must be able to make them legal. That is, it must be established that the investigation into the former Prime Minister and Minister is not motivated by revenge at this time. Second, the investigation should not be unnecessarily prolonged. There should not be a situation where the society is shown that the investigation is underway but never reaches a conclusion.
It is the leaders who are formally/informally challenging an investigation into themselves. For example, UML Chairman Oli has challenged an investigation into his assets since 2007. He had also challenged investigations into cases including Yeti, Omni and Giribandhu T-Estate many times in the past. Maoist Chairman Dahal had also demanded from the rostrum of the parliament that the assets of everyone who held high positions after 2047 should be investigated. He had also challenged an investigation into the Shera Durbar case with his name attached. The real test will be whether such challenges were motivated by the ego that no one could investigate them.
If it was motivated by faith in their own integrity, then they should all cooperate in the investigation into them. If the government also uses this as a weapon of propaganda or political revenge, it will be another blow to the country. Therefore, the government should also take the investigation of corruption and assets as a serious responsibility. Everyone should utilize this responsibility as an opportunity to free Nepali politics from the swamp of corruption, irregularities and non-transparency.
