NA forms committee under leadership of Major General Baburam Shrestha to investigate Shahi

Published On: January 5, 2023 08:30 AM NPT By: Tapendra Karki


KATHMANDU, Dec 5: The Nepali Army (NA) has formed a committee under the leadership of another Major General Baburam Shrestha to investigate the allegations against Major General Prem Shahi, who was due to retire forcefully today (Wednesday) but is currently in ‘military detention’.

The NA formed the committee led by Shrestha on Wednesday to probe into alleged financial irregularities and forged documents although his case is sub judice in the Supreme Court. Major General Prem Shahi was arrested and detained by the military police on Tuesday soon  after the apex court issued a stay order in his favor.

Shahi had knocked the door of the Supreme Court for justice after the army headquarters handed him a letter telling him to retire prematurely on January 4, 2022 with pension facility, one year before his actual retirement date.

The Supreme Court had issued an interim order on December 18 in favor of Shahi, directing the army headquarters not to implement the decision to release him from duty.

After taking a 15-day leave following the SC order, Shahi had returned back to his regular work on Tuesday only to be  arrested by the military police.

Instead of respecting the Supreme Court’s order, Major General Shahi was detained by the army headquarters. Shahi had knocked the door of the Supreme Court alleging the  army headquarters was trying to frame him. On the other hand, the army headquarters has termed his steps to seek justice as a breach of military discipline and has accused him of conducting activities against the military organization.

In response to the petition filed against the Nepali Army headquarters and the Ministry of Defense, Supreme Court Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal had ordered the concerned bodies not to implement the retirement process of the petitioner. The SC order clearly mentioned that the petitioner  should be allowed to resume his work until a final verdict. 

‘As per the Nepali Army Act, 2006, shahi should have been promoted to the post of lieutenant general on the basis of seniority.

Sources close to the former army chief Purna Chandra Thapa claim that  the incumbent Chief of Army Staff (CoAs) Prabhu Ram Sharma wants to promote his close aides at the expense of Shahi.


Leave A Comment