CPN (UML has appointed a man facing multiple criminal charges, including attempted murder and kidnapping, as the commander of its newly announced National Volunteers Force (NVF).
Pushpa Raj Shrestha, 43, of Kamalamai Municipality-5, Sindhuli, was named the commander of the force on Friday. Shrestha is a former Sindhuli District President of the Young Communist League (YCL), the sister organization of the then-Maoist party, and had recently been active in the UML's youth wing before receiving his new assignment.
Police records confirm that Shrestha was implicated in seven criminal cases between 2006 and 2018, four of which were for attempted murder.
- His alleged crimes include, among others:
- 2006: Charged with attempted murder for the assault of Gagan Singh in Kamalamai Municipality, Sindhuli.
- 2008: Arrested in Kathmandu for allegedly shooting Avinash Rijal in Kotweshwar.
- 2013: Charged with kidnapping and assault in Sindhuli District Court involving victim Jivan Shrestha.
- 2016: Accused of extortion and hostage-taking against Ganesh Kunwar, where he allegedly held Kunwar captive, stole Rs 50,000, a ring, and a mobile phone, and forced him to sign a check for Rs 1.1
The UML's decision to appoint Shrestha to lead the NVF has triggered scrutiny concerns, particularly given the force's stated purpose.
Announcing the formation of the NVF at Babarmahal on Friday, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli said that the group was being established to counter violence and anarchy, claiming that the state has failed to protect the public, industries, and media houses—a role he suggests this new squad will now take over.
However, police records clearly indicate that the commander appointed to lead this "anti-anarchy" force has himself been associated with a history of serious criminal activities.
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