Sudhan Gurung set to return as home minister after clean report; Swearing-in preparation underway

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah is preparing to reappoint former Home Minister Sudhan Gurung to the Cabinet after a government-appointed investigation committee found no major irregularities in his declared assets.

According to government sources, preparations are underway for Gurung to take the oath of office later today, with the Prime Minister’s Office reportedly informing the President’s Office to make necessary arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Gurung resigned from the post of Home Minister on Baisakh 9 (April 22, 2026) after questions were raised regarding his property holdings and asset disclosures. Following his resignation, the government formed a committee to study and verify the details of his assets.

The issue moved a step closer to resolution on Monday after the Cabinet decided to formally receive the investigation report concerning Gurung.

Speaking to journalists after the Cabinet meeting, government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said the report had only just been received and that further study would be required before any formal decision on Gurung’s reinstatement.

“The report has just been received. Necessary decisions will be taken after studying it. The Cabinet has only decided to receive the report; no decision regarding the appointment has been made at this stage,” Pokharel said.

Investigation Finds No Major Irregularities

The investigation committee submitted its report to Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Jestha 22. According to sources familiar with the report, the committee found no significant wrongdoing by Gurung and instead highlighted weaknesses in existing systems and procedures that require institutional reform.

Committee sources said a detailed review of land ownership records and asset declarations did not uncover evidence of undisclosed wealth or major discrepancies.

According to the report, Gurung does not own land outside Dhankuta. Investigators found that approximately 19 ropani and 15 aana of land in Dhankuta are registered in his name.

The committee noted that land parcels in Chitwan and Gorkha, which Gurung had referred to in his disclosures, are largely registered under the names of his father and grandfather. Sources said Gurung had included family-owned properties in his asset declaration, resulting in differences between publicly discussed figures and the assets legally registered in his own name.

The report also examined information obtained from land revenue offices and other government records while verifying property details.

Cabinet Receives Report

The Cabinet’s decision to receive the report is widely viewed as removing the final procedural hurdle to Gurung’s return to government.

If reappointed, Gurung would return to the powerful Home Ministry less than two months after stepping down amid controversy over his asset disclosures.

His expected return comes after the investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support allegations of wrongdoing and that the issues raised were largely related to documentation, disclosure practices, and broader systemic shortcomings rather than personal misconduct.