KATHMANDU, Jan 3: Nepal Army (NA) has ‘detained’ Major General Prem Shahi in the barracks for what it said was an investigation into his alleged involvement in financial irregularities. This comes a day after the Supreme Court (SC) paved the way for him to stay in office for one more year.

According to the NA’s Directorate of Public Relations and Information (DPRI), military police had detained Major General Shahi, who was supposed to retire on Wednesday due to age limit, for investigation into his alleged involvement in financial irregularities and cases related to forged academic documents. 

"It has been decided to keep him inside the barracks for investigation. However, he won’t be in custody," said Brigadier General Krishna Bhandari, spokesperson for the NA, "The decision has been taken today [Tuesday]."

According to Spokesperson Bhandari, Shahi was taken to Birendra Army Hospital, Chhauni for ‘medical treatment’ on Tuesday.

Although he was due to retire on Wednesday, the Supreme Court on Monday gave him a clean chit on his allegedly forged academic documents that had two different dates of his birth. The apex court verdict that came in response to the writ petition he had filed against NA Headquarters and Ministry of Defense paved the way for him to stay in office for one more year.

Sources said Major General Shahi, who was on a leave for 15 days, was preparing to resume his office following the apex court order.

Shahi is known as an officer close to former Chief of Army Staff Purna Chandra Thapa, who had brought a slew of reforms within the army organization. Sources said the latest move of NA leadership to frame a corruption case against Shahi comes as a part of nullifying the court’s order and sending Shahi home to promote an official close to CoAS Prabhu Ram Sharma to the post of major general.

 
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