By Narayan Prasad Mishra

It is said that in Hinduism, the crown and monarchy are considered among the most sacred institutions. The king is revered as equal to a deity. Traditionally, the king is viewed as being above the law, immune to charges or blame. The concept of "the king can do no wrong" is well established—not because he is a powerless figurehead, as in constitutional monarchies, but because he is trusted in his traditional role as the father of the nation. Even under a constitutional monarchy, kings have, at times, wielded significant power under the constitution. However, their authority is bound by high moral standards, ethics, religion, and tradition. A king is expected to serve his people like a father to a family, with equal love and responsibility for the welfare of all.  

If the king or his family fails in their duties, the risks to the nation and its citizens are profound. A corrupt or immoral monarch can harm a nation without restraint. However, corruption during Nepal's monarchy era did not reach the level of systemic corruption we see today.  

A picture of a discussion on the Shera Darbar and many other corruption-related cases between the leaders.

In a democracy, everyone is bound by the law, and no one is above it—not the president, prime minister, or ministers. Democratic systems, with their mechanisms for power distribution and checks and balances, are designed to prevent corruption. When individuals or institutions engage in corruption, they should face severe consequences. However, this has not been the case in Nepal. Something is fundamentally wrong with our democracy, where the culture of honesty, integrity, and morality has nearly vanished.  

Every day, we see unimaginable cases of corruption emerge as if we have introduced a system of corruption instead of democracy. Every day, we hear about corruption, corruption and corruption—when we should be hearing about development, development and development. Recently, the Shera Durbar Land Scandal has also come to light. The following corruption cases, which have been the talk of the town for the last few years, are exemplary:  

1. Sudan Peace Police Corruption Scandal  

2. The Omni Scandal

3. Gokul Banskota Security Printing Press Scandal  

4. The Airbus Scandal

5. The COVID Vaccine Scandal  

6. The Loadshedding Scandal  

7. The Lalita Niwas Land Grab Scandal  

8. The 10 Billion TSC Scandal  

9. Dhamija, Lauda Scandal  

10. The Balmandir Land, Basbari Land, Tikapur Land, and Giribandhu Land scandals  

11. The Fake Bhutanese Refugee Scandal 

12. Maoists Cantonment Corruption Scam

13. Wide-Body Aircraft Corruption Case, Ncell Tax Dispute Case, Budhi Gandaki Project Case, Jhalanath Khanal Foundation's Antivenom Center Case, Banskota Audiotape Scandal, Gold Smuggling Corruption Case, and more.  

The Role of Government

The government, entrusted with maintaining law and order and combating corruption, paradoxically stands as one of the most corrupt institutions in Nepal. News reports consistently implicate all political parties in power in corruption scandals, including those previously mentioned. What could be more disheartening than this? Even our friendly nations—whether large or small—seem more focused on fostering relationships that serve their own interests rather than encouraging our leaders to prioritize the well-being of the Nepali people or warning them against corruption. Witnessing this reality is profoundly saddening.  

Since the advent of multiparty democracy, corruption has permeated every sector of society—from politics to public services—becoming so normalized that it feels omnipresent. The trust of Nepali citizens in their institutions has eroded, as leaders who pledge reform often end up perpetuating the very issues they vow to address.  

The Prevalence of Corruption  

Corruption in Nepal is not confined to a single institution or sector; it has seeped into politics, bureaucracy, law enforcement, education, and even healthcare. Key areas of concern include:  

1. Political Corruption  

All major political parties are implicated in corruption. In opposition, parties accuse the ruling coalition of wrongdoing, but when they join the government, these accusations turn into silent complicity. This "unholy alliance" prevents accountability and allows corruption to flourish unchecked. Political appointments based on nepotism and favoritism further exacerbate the problem.

2. Public Services and Bribery  

For ordinary citizens, corruption is a daily reality. Bribes are often required to access basic services, from obtaining a driving license to getting government project approvals. Officials at all levels demand payments under the table, making it nearly impossible for honest citizens to navigate the system.  

3. Judiciary and Law Enforcement  

Institutions meant to uphold justice are often themselves corrupt. Court cases are delayed or manipulated in favor of those with wealth or influence. Similarly, police corruption undermines public safety, as cases are dropped or altered for bribes.  

4. Development Projects and Foreign Aid  

Corruption is a significant impediment to Nepal's development. Funds allocated for infrastructure projects often vanish due to embezzlement, leaving roads, schools, and hospitals unfinished. Foreign aid, which could uplift the nation, is frequently mismanaged, discouraging international donors.  

Solutions to Address Corruption  

1. Strengthening Anti-Corruption Institutions

Nepal requires robust and independent anti-corruption bodies, such as the Commission for the Investigation on Abuse of Authority (CIAA). The heads and members of these institutions should be selected from among independent, high-profile, and reputable citizens who are free from political affiliations or biases. These institutions must operate without political interference and should be granted the authority to investigate and prosecute even high-ranking officials.  

2. Transparency and Accountability  

Enforce strict laws requiring politicians and officials to disclose their assets.  

Implement e-governance to minimize human interaction in public services, reducing opportunities for bribery.  

Conduct regular audits of government projects and public expenditures, making results accessible to citizens.  

3. Judicial and Police Reforms  

Establish independent oversight committees to monitor the judiciary and police.  

4. Education and Awareness  

Incorporate anti-corruption education into school curriculums to instil ethical values in the younger generation.  

Launch awareness campaigns to encourage citizens to report corruption and demand accountability.  

5. Political Reform

Introduce campaign finance reforms to reduce the influence of money in politics.  

Implement performance evaluations for elected officials to discourage corruption.  

6. Whistleblower Protection  

Create mechanisms for citizens and government employees to report corruption without fear of retaliation.  

Reward whistleblowers who expose significant cases of corruption.  

7. Media Engagement  

Encourage media outlets to investigate and highlight corruption stories, amplifying the voices of affected citizens.  

A Call for Collective Action  

Corruption in Nepal is deeply entrenched, but it is not insurmountable. Combating it requires collective action from honest political leaders, independent civil society, and nation-lover citizens. Political will is paramount, as is active public participation in demanding accountability and reform. Only then can Nepal transition from a state of *"Corruption, Corruption, Corruption "* to one of fairness, meritocracy, and justice.  

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