Corruption in Nepal has reached staggering heights, with recent events shedding light on a deeply concerning trend – a Gold Medal-worthy contest of shielding top politicians from prosecution while letting the web of graft flourish unchecked.
An Unprecedented Seizure
On July 18, authorities seized an astounding 61kg of smuggled gold from the cargo terminal at Kathmandu airport, a record-breaking haul hidden ingeniously inside the brake shoes of two-wheelers. This shocking incident, however, merely scratched the surface of an extensive history of gold smuggling operations that had evaded law enforcement time and time again.
The Usual Suspects
In the aftermath of the operation, the police made 21 arrests, targeting customs officials, foreign nationals, and intermediaries involved in the smuggling network. Curiously absent from the list of detainees were influential politicians who were allegedly the masterminds behind the illicit scheme.
Names like former Maoist minister Barshaman Pun, ex-speaker Onsari Gharti Magar, and the family of former vice-president Nanda Kishor Pun surfaced in connection with the incident. Even Maoist Centre vice-chair Krishna Bahadur Mahara and his son were entangled in this web of intrigue, with Mahara also allegedly tied to another smuggling operation involving e-cigarettes and concealed gold.
The Power Play Unveiled
As investigations unfolded, it became evident that Mahara and his son attempted to manipulate officials to release the seized gold for auction. Phone records betrayed the Maoist leader’s involvement, although he vehemently denied it. Meanwhile, the gold itself mysteriously vanished from storage, casting shadows of doubt over the whole affair.
A Nation at the Brink
Nepal’s landscape has become inundated with corruption scandals, prompting comparisons to an international tournament where Nepal would clinch the Gold Medal for corruption. The shocking truth is that these instances are just the tip of the iceberg. Behind closed doors, politicians and bureaucrats extort businesses across the country with impunity.
A Web of Protection
Curiously, not a single politician from the Maoist party of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has faced incarceration. While opposition members from Nepali Congress (NC), the UML, and Maoist defectors are in jail for the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal, politicians involved in scandals such as the Lalita Niwas real estate scam remain untouched.
The Situation Escalates
As politicians from all major parties find themselves ensnared in various scandals, a cunning endeavor emerges to shield one another from legal repercussions. The mutual protection racket has become evident, further eroding trust in Nepal’s political arena. These political maneuvers have not only crippled governance but have also overshadowed pressing matters, such as the obstruction of the house over the gold smuggling case.
A Nation Held Together by Distrust
Nepal’s coalition government teeters precariously on a foundation of mutual distrust. The coalition’s survival relies on vigilantly avoiding investigations that could expose their leadership’s involvement in corrupt activities. This self-preserving arrangement perpetuates a cycle of graft and impunity that undermines the nation’s progress.
Conclusion
The battle against corruption in Nepal is reaching a pivotal crossroads. As the nation grapples with scandals that run deep, the selective prosecution of high-profile figures threatens to compromise the very essence of democracy and rule of law. Urgent measures are needed to restore faith in the system, to ensure that justice prevails over political maneuvering, and to pave the way for a more transparent and accountable future.
