Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Govinda Panti Calls for Objective Review of Former Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel's Release

Kathmandu. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Govind Panthi has said that an objective review of the release of former Deputy Prime Minister and UML Vice Chairman Bishnu Prasad Paudel must be done. He wrote on social media – 'The Department of Investigation of Money Laundering has initiated an investigation against former Deputy Prime Minister and UML Vice Chairman Bishnu Prasad Paudel, based on the statement made by Chunnu Prasad Sharma and Kamal Kishor Malpani, directors of Shriram Tobacco Industry Pvt. Ltd., to the investigating officer, stating that 375,000 shares of Shriram Tobacco were sold to Deepak Bhatt, director of Infinity Holding Pvt. Ltd., in the name of Himalayan Everest Management Pvt. Ltd., and 2,000,000 shares in the name of Himalayan Reinsurance Ltd. were purchased in the name of CK Investment Pvt. Ltd., with Bishnu Prasad Paudel facilitating. However, if there was not enough evidence to confirm those grounds, why was the investigation taken to prosecution? And if the prosecution was based on strong evidence, why did the Special Court order his release on ordinary bail in a case where a claim of Rs 20.90 crore was made?' He further writes – 'These questions are not just about one person or party. They are serious issues related to the quality of the investigating body, the prosecuting body, and the judicial process. Was the investigation weak, was the prosecution hasty, or did the court evaluate the evidence differently? An objective review of this must be done. If there is a weakness in the investigation and prosecution, who is accountable? And if there is a problem with coordination and evidence management among state bodies, it weakens good governance and the campaign against corruption. Therefore, a serious institutional review of this case is necessary based on facts and law, without any prejudice. The only way to maintain public trust is through impartial investigation, responsible prosecution, and evidence-based judicial process.'