Labor Minister Dipak Kumar Shah Removed After Just 14 Days Amid Corruption Allegations

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has dismissed Labor Minister Dipak Kumar Shah from his cabinet position just two weeks after his appointment. The decision follows mounting controversies that threatened to undermine the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party's anti corruption credentials.

Shah's past criminal record resurfaced following his appointment, with an arrest warrant issued against him on allegations of taking money from people by promising to get their names on the MBBS medical degree list. Additionally, Health Minister Nisha Mehta was accused of favoritism after reappointing Junu Shrestha, the Labor Minister's wife, as a member of the Health Insurance Board which had earlier suspended her.

The appointment drew severe backlash as the RSP had campaigned heavily on the slogan of "Jannelai Chhanne" (choosing the capable) and promising to appoint subject matter experts to ministerial roles. Critics questioned the transparency and ethical standards of the government for appointing an individual with a history of educational fraud and faking medical credentials to a prominent cabinet position.

RSP Chairman Ravi Lamichhane reportedly wrote to Prime Minister Shah requesting the minister's removal from his responsibilities. The dismissal marks one of the quickest ministerial sackings in recent Nepali political history and represents a significant test for the young government's commitment to reform. Shah was appointed on March 27, 2026, and held the 15th position in the 15 member cabinet's order of precedence.