The recent scams involving corruptions and misuse of authority that have surfaced have unveiled the distorted face of Nepalese politics and the upper echelons of bureaucracy. Firstly, the instances of corruption and irregularities have proliferated in the country with the direct involvement of politicians and senior bureaucrats. Secondly, efforts have been made to conceal such scandals as much as possible by the ruling parties. CPN (Maoist Center) Vice Chairman Krishna Bahadur Mahara was arrested on Monday in connection with a gold smuggling case involving electronic cigarettes (vape), with his son Rahul also incarcerated. The question arises whether Mahara, a prominent figure in Maoist politics in Nepal, became entangled in this case by mere coincidence or through a twist of fate. He has admitted to facilitating the release of the goods due to his acquaintance with the individuals involved. This is unbecoming of the role he assumed as a senior politician in the country.
The issue of conflict of interest is not earnestly addressed in Nepali politics, with several advantages accruing from this oversight. Firstly, political power is exploited for undue gain. Secondly, none of the perpetrators have faced any punitive action. Many are unaware that it is inappropriate for a leader to intervene in the release of goods seized by customs. This misuse of authority yields consequences. In some nations, even incidental connections between leaders and traders prompt investigations. Abuse of power is deemed unacceptable. Nevertheless, the report submitted by the probe commission on gold smuggling does not raise questions about the immunity afforded to Mahara. Leaders have been granted immunity in past cases involving their involvement. If Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane takes action against leaders from other parties implicated in various scams, it sets a precedent for future investigations irrespective of the party affiliation.
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It is disconcerting that individuals, such as the former CPN (Maoist) leader and his son, who emerged from armed struggle, are implicated in smuggling and other financial crimes. This highlights the weak state of the rule of law in the country. Being the progeny of influential figures seems to confer a license to engage in such activities, a scenario that wouldn't persist if the rule of law is enforced effectively. Moreover, bureaucratic institutions have failed to thwart such misconduct, paving the way for irregularities. The involvement of political and bureaucratic leadership in gold smuggling has tarnished Nepal's international reputation and diminished the country's credibility. This also exposes the inadequacy of existing mechanisms to prevent such scandals. It is seen that gaining a position in the state apparatus entails exploiting authority for personal gains. It's ironic that even investigative bodies pay lip service to political leadership, perpetuating such scandals. It is high time all concerned stakeholders took measures necessary to uphold effective law and order situations to improve the country’s standing in the international community.
