Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’: Does He Have the Authority to Question Anti-Corruption Officials?

Governance experts have expressed concern over Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’s’ “defense” regarding allegations of exerting pressure by keeping officials from independent anti-corruption bodies within the Prime Minister’s Office. This controversy arose around accusations during the inauguration of the ruling National Independent Party’s general convention on Sunday, where Shah defended himself against claims involving his associates.

The Prime Minister’s Secretariat came under criticism after reports surfaced that officials and officers of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) were summoned to the office and pressured to issue arrest warrants against officials, including the chief of the Passport Department. Opposition lawmakers also raised the matter in parliament. In public remarks made in Chitwan, Prime Minister Shah acknowledged the controversy and indicated that such situations could arise again if necessary. “There have been certain irregularities in the past. When government property and funds are exploited, it is crucial to investigate the reasons, and that is what we are doing,” he stated.

“And when investigating, if the CIAA requires five hours for questioning or discussions, we will not just allow five hours but will keep them engaged for five years if necessary. There is no reason to worry about this. We do not violate rules or laws; we work within them.” But does the Prime Minister have such authority? Ved Prasad Sivakoti, former Commissioner of the CIAA, expressed the opinion that summoning the commission to the Prime Minister’s Office for such activities contravenes the constitution. “Whatever happened at the Prime Minister’s Office is not permitted by the constitution. Since both are parts of the state apparatus, sharing information is possible,” Sivakoti explained.