Police visit Minister’s residence sparks political controversy

KATHMANDU: A late-night police visit to the residence of Koshi Province’s Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, Indramani Parajuli, in Biratnagar has triggered political controversy and debate in the province.

According to ministry sources, a police team entered the minister’s quarter near the Law Campus in Biratnagar–3 around 11 PM on Thursday and reportedly searched several rooms inside the residence.

However, police have denied carrying out any raid, clarifying that the operation was based on specific intelligence.

At the time of the incident, Minister Parajuli was in Sankhuwasabha. He said he only learned about the situation later through neighbors.

“I am currently in Sankhuwasabha. I came to know about the police activity at my residence afterward,” Parajuli said.

A staff member stationed at the residence also claimed that police personnel entered the house at night and conducted a room-by-room search.

The issue reached the federal parliament on Friday, where MP Rajendra Rai from Dhankuta raised the matter during a House session, demanding clarification from the government over why the minister’s residence was searched in his absence.

Meanwhile, Morang Police Chief SP Kabit Katwal rejected allegations of a raid. He said the team had acted on intelligence that a person was hiding at the location.

“We did not conduct a raid. Police were deployed after receiving information that a person might be hiding there,” Katwal said. “After the information proved unverified, the team returned.”