KATHMANDU, June 5: Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar of the Office of the Vice President, who was detained by police on Thursday afternoon, has been released.
Pushkar was taken into custody from his residence in Kapan by the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office. He was released later the same night into the custody of his wife after agreeing not to misuse his mobile phone, according to sources.
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Police questioned him for about seven hours. Sources said he was released after investigators found no grounds to pursue criminal charges against him.
According to sources, Pushkar had sent a message directly to Prime Minister Balen Shah after being unable to secure an appointment through official channels. He reportedly contacted the prime minister on his personal phone number.
In the message, he reportedly wrote: “Respected Prime Minister, greetings. The tenure of a secretary is five years. I am unlikely to become Chief Secretary. My retirement date is July 8. An advertisement for ambassadors has been opened. I request your clarification on whether I am eligible to apply.”
Pushkar was detained for questioning on the instruction of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. He has been accused of violating the administrative "chain of command" that government officials are expected to follow within the state bureaucracy.
Pushkar will retire on July 9 after completing his five-year tenure as secretary.
