Why Is There Confusion Over the Appointment of the Home Minister?
Summary: The Home Ministry, which falls directly under Prime Minister Balen Shah, has been operating without a dedicated minister for nearly a month. Since former Home Minister Sudhan Gurung resigned amid allegations related to asset cleansing, no new minister has been appointed to the ministry since April 22. On May 14, the government formed an investigative committee chaired by former Justice Achyut Prasad Bhandari, instructing it to submit a report within 15 days.
May 19, Kathmandu: The Home Ministry, considered the most sensitive government department, has been under the indirect supervision of the Prime Minister for almost a month. Since the resignation of Sudhan Gurung on April 22, no distinct minister has been assigned to oversee the Home Ministry; operations are currently managed under the direct oversight of Prime Minister Balen Shah.
Given the sensitive nature of security and administrative procedures, the absence of a dedicated department minister has directly impacted service delivery. The Home Ministry holds responsibility for implementing and regulating nationwide peace and security, policies, laws, standards, and plans. It also manages the security of designated individuals, critical sites, infrastructures, and diplomatic missions.
The ministry oversees the country’s overall peace and security, intelligence gathering, monitoring, and action against terrorist activities, as well as criminal investigations. It commands all 77 District Administration Offices, the Nepal Police force of approximately 80,000 personnel, and the Armed Police Force comprising about 38,000 personnel. Responsibilities for crime prevention, control, and investigation also fall under the Home Ministry’s jurisdiction. Issues related to citizenship, firearms, explosives use and regulation, along with detention and prison security and refugee affairs, are within the ministry’s working domain.
Recently, amid potential entry of Rohingya refugees into Nepal, border checkpoints have been tightened. In such circumstances, the continued absence of a dedicated minister in the Home Ministry, which carries the country’s overall peace and security responsibilities, has further intensified challenges. According to the Work Division Regulations 2026 BS, the Home Ministry is tasked with 52 responsibilities, many of which are exclusive to its domain.
The Home Ministry is considered one of the most coveted cabinet portfolios after the Prime Minister’s office. There is usually active competition to hold this position. Given the prolonged absence of a dedicated Home Minister, the lack of political leadership concerning internal security has raised various concerns. Questions persist regarding who should handle primary responsibilities related to security, administration, and crisis management in the minister’s absence. Several operational decisions require immediate direction from the Home Minister, who plays an essential role from crisis management to operations.
Former Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had also been issuing operational plans and directives during the fake Bhutanese refugee case. The lack of high-level political leadership is evident in policy implementation. According to an Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Nepal Police, “During the tenure of the former Home Minister, many senior officials were arrested; now, without a Home Minister, who has been held accountable? The police do not have the authority to take action against senior officials without orders.” He added, “Delays in transferring authority granted by police regulations might also be due to the absence of a minister.”
Former Home Ministry Secretary Chandi Prasad Shrestha stated that operational tasks are managed through the Home Secretary, so there are no major issues. He said, “The absence of a minister could cause problems in policy decision-making, but it is not a significant disaster. Once the ministry is separated, appointing a minister is natural.”
Currently, without a minister, the Home Ministry’s activities are being directed by Sudhan Gurung’s personal secretary under the instructions of Prime Minister Balen Shah. Even after Gurung resigned, his personal secretary James Karki remains in office. Karki personally visited to oversee the removal of the squatter settlement in Manohar Kinar.
Sudhan Gurung fell into controversy after being linked with businessman Deepak Bhatt, who was arrested amid issues in the asset cleansing investigation. Shares hidden in the asset declaration and shares in companies of a disputed businessman were revealed, prompting Gurung to submit his resignation to the Prime Minister on April 22. At that time, he wrote on Facebook, “I take seriously the questions raised regarding shares and related matters. Morality is greater than position. Public trust is the greatest power. Let there be an impartial investigation into my case.”
Twenty days after his resignation, on May 14, the government formed an investigative committee. The Council of Ministers established the committee chaired by former Justice Achyut Prasad Bhandari on May 11. Members include Auditor General Shobhakanta Paudel and Joint Attorney General Achyut Mani Neupane. The committee was given 15 days to present its findings; half of this time has already passed. The committee intends to study the facts thoroughly and submit a report with recommendations to the government.
With the Home Minister post currently vacant, there is a possibility that Sudhan Gurung could return to the Home Ministry after the conclusion of the investigation.