Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that no one should be exempted from facing legal consequences for crimes against the state.
Addressing a provincial security conference in Pokhara on Friday, a day after the arrest of prominent businessman Arun Chaudhary, Shrestha said undue pressure is exerted on him whenever influential individuals are arrested. “Whenever people close to power centers are arrested, we face unwarranted pressure. If a person with political ties is apprehended, there are claims that they belong to a certain party, coalition, or opposition. When an industrialist is taken into custody, business communities question the arrest, stating that they are taxpayers,” Shrestha explained. “While the government acknowledges the private sector as a crucial partner, it is essential to note that individuals engaged in activities against the state cannot be exempted.”
Shrestha warned that he might have to adopt a new approach if the pressure on him persists. He also called upon civil servants and security agencies to stand firm in their stances.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested Chaudhary for an investigation into the charge of registering 10 ropanis of government land, originally belonging to the Bansbari Leather and Shoes Company Ltd, as private property. Ajit Singh Thapa, the former chief of the company, has also been taken into custody for investigation.
