Prem Kumar Rai
Prem Kumar Rai | |
|---|---|
प्रेमकुमार राई | |
| Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority | |
| Honourable Chief Commissioner | |
| Assumed office February 3, 2021 | |
| Appointed by | K. P. Sharma Oli |
| President | Ram Chandra Poudel |
Prem Kumar Rai is the current chief commissioner of CIAA Nepal. He assumed office on February 3, 2021.[1] He is also a former home secretary.[2] He was recommended by the Constitutional Council on December 20, 2020, to be the new chief commissioner of CIAA.[3]
Under his leadership, CIAA has filed a case against former Prime Minister and CPN UML Chairman Mathav Kumar Nepal regarding allowing Patanjali Yogpeeth to purchase land beyond legal limits. Although previous legal interpretation of law said that decision by cabinet is not reviewable by law, CIAA under Rai has taken a different approach as clear in this case.[4][5]
2025 Gen-Z movement aftermath
On October 5, 2025, a faction of Gen-Z movement asked that Prem Kumar Rai be made to resign among other demands in the 8-point document that they presented Prime Minister Sushila Karki.[6] In a separate event, the GenZ movement alliance also demanded the resignation of all commissioners of CIAA including the chief Prem Kumar Rai.[7]
Controversies
He has come into controversy regarding his involvement in wide-body corruption case. He was then a secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation at the time of corruption. This case became more controversial due to CIAA's decision not to prosecute Rai in the controversial procurement of the two wide-body aircraft.[8] A lawmaker has since then called for his impeachment since then citing the thriving corruption and irregularities.[9]
Rai has also allegedly been involved in land scam and fake Bhutanese refugee case. Activist Yubraj Paudel has filed a complaint demanding an investigation into Rai's involvement in major scandals.[10] RSP leader Rabi Lamichhane has also questioned his involvement in corruption in Maoist combatant camps, wide-body procurement irregularities and Yeti/Omni cases.[11]
References
- ^ Times, Everest (2021-02-03). "CIAA Chief Commissioner Rai assumed office". Everest Times - Online News Portal of Nepal. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "With Prem Kumar Rai resigning, bureaucrats vie for home secretary position". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ Sureis (2020-12-21). "Former home secretary Rai recommended CIAA chief". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "Corruption case against a former PM raises pressure on KP Oli". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "CIAA calls for an end to corruption under the guise of Cabinet's policy decisions". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "प्रधानमन्त्री विना तीन घण्टा चलेको बालुवाटार बैठक, जहाँबाट स्पष्ट छुट्टिए जेनजीका दुई समूह". Online Khabar. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "Gen Z Alliance demands resignation of CIAA Chief and Commissioners". Nepal News. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "Special Court raises questions about CIAA chief Prem Kumar Rai in wide-body corruption case". Setopati. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "NC lawmaker Kamala Pant calls for CIAA Chief Rai's impeachment". myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com. 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "CIAA Chief Rai faces complaint over major corruption scandals". myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com. 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "RSP Chair Lamichhane showers questions against CIAA Chief Commissioner Rai". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2025-10-06.