Asked minister to come in queue for visa biometrics
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 4
A security guard has been arrested on the charge of 'indecent behaviour' for asking Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha to wait for his turn like everyone else at a private office where he had gone to provide his biometrics for Canada visa.
The incident occurred on Friday when Shrestha reached the office of VFS Global in Thamel to provide his biometrics. VFS Global Nepal is a contracted service delivery partner for foreign countries. Shrestha had gone there along with his wife and a security guard to provide their biometrics to visit Canada. However, there was a queue of applicants outside the centre. The minister's security guard asked the guard manning the office to let the minister and his wife jump the queue.
But the security guard, Serjan Gurung, stood his ground and asked the minister and his wife to wait for their turn.
This led to a war of words between Gurung and Shrestha's guard. Shrestha alleged today that
Gurung misbehaved with them and used offensive language. He said Gurung didn't let him jump the queue despite recognising him. "I know who he is. But I do not recognise any mantra-santri," Shrestha quoted Gurung as saying.
After Friday's incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs sent a letter to the police headquarters asking it to act against Gurung, who works for Garud Securities. The police headquarters asked Durbar Marg Police Circle to act against Gurung, who was booked for indecent behaviour and detained.
If proven guilty, Gurung might face a maximum punishment of one year in jail or a fine of Rs 10,000 or both.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 5, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.