After resignation, Gupta says: “Sometimes even poison you haven’t consumed can affect you—I’ve become a victim of just that.”

Kathmandu – Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Rajkumar Gupta, has resigned from his post after being implicated in an audio recording related to a bribery deal. Gupta submitted his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday morning at Baluwatar following the Prime Minister’s directive.

According to sources at Baluwatar, Prime Minister Oli, expressing serious concern over the audio controversy, had instructed Gupta to step down within 24 hours. While the Prime Minister was attending a senate meeting at Sudurpaschim University, Gupta arrived at Baluwatar and left his resignation letter there.

An audio recording allegedly involving a bribery deal for the appointment of officials at the Land Commission in Kaski and for staff transfers was made public a few weeks ago. It is claimed that Gupta’s voice can be heard in the recording. In response to growing public pressure, the Prime Minister has indicated that an investigation will move forward and that strict action will be taken if wrongdoing is proven.

The government has initiated a forensic examination to verify the authenticity of the audio. Additionally, a letter has been sent to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and other relevant regulatory bodies for a fair investigation, according to sources.

After resigning, Gupta posted on social media, writing on Facebook: “Sometimes even poison you haven’t consumed can affect you—I’ve become a victim of just that.” He stated that he resigned to help ensure a fair investigation into the allegations against him.