Minister Rajkumar Gupta resigns following bribery audio scandal
After widespread criticism—including calls for his dismissal from within the ruling coalition—PM Oli reportedly instructed him to step down.
KATHMANDU: Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Rajkumar Gupta has resigned after facing intense public and political pressure over a leaked audio clip allegedly exposing a corruption deal worth Rs 7.8 million.
On Tuesday, Minister Gupta submitted his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. According to sources, the Prime Minister had summoned Gupta to his official residence in Baluwatar on Monday, seeking clarification over the controversy.
After widespread criticism—including calls for his dismissal from within the ruling coalition—PM Oli reportedly instructed him to step down.
Following his resignation, Gupta released a statement on social media, stating that he was resigning to facilitate a fair investigation. “Sometimes, even poison you didn’t consume affects you—I am a victim of that right now,” Gupta said, implying he was being falsely implicated. “I resigned so that the truth behind the allegations can come out through an impartial investigation.”
He further claimed he was a victim of “advanced technological manipulation” and hoped no one else would face such a situation in the future. Gupta also reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities given to him by his party and to serving the people.
The controversy erupted after an audio clip—allegedly recorded in the Nepali month of Poush 2081—surfaced online. In the clip, Gupta is reportedly heard negotiating bribes with a middleman.
The conversation included demands of Rs 2.5 million for appointing Khem Bahadur Pun as Chairperson of the Land Commission in Kaski and Rs 5.3 million for halting the transfer of then-Malpoth (Land Revenue Office) Chief Ramchandra Adhikari.
The audio was followed by a formal complaint to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), including claims about cash-filled bags, bundles of currency, and even serial numbers of the notes allegedly involved. Initially, Gupta denied the voice on the tape was his.
Public outrage grew rapidly, with widespread protests and criticism from both the public and political leaders. Senior Nepali Congress leaders, including Shekhar Koirala and General Secretary Gagan Thapa, demanded Gupta’s immediate dismissal.
Even within the CPN-UML, lawmakers such as Kiran Kumar Sah raised the issue in Parliament, calling for Gupta’s removal and a fair investigation.
