President of Nepal Ramchandra Paudel has designated Prime Minister Balendra Shah to assume the Home Ministry portfolio. Prime Minister Shah will look after the home ministry as well after Home Minister Sudhan Gurung resigned from his post earlier today, according to the President’s Office.

Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigned on Wednesday to ensure an impartial investigation into matters related to him and to avoid any conflict of interest while in office or any impact on the investigation process. His resignation comes at a time when controversies have surfaced in recent days over his alleged business links with businessman Deepak Bhatta, who is under probe for money laundering offences. Gurung announced his resignation through social media platform facebook.

This is the second ministerial resignation in the current government led by Balendra Shah. Prime Minister Shah on April 9 had sacked then minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Deepak Kumar Sah. Sah was removed following a formal letter from RSP party chair Rabi Lamichhane, based on allegations of Sah misusing his office to recommend his wife, Junu Shrestha, as a member of the Health Insurance Board. The position had remained largely inactive for a long time but the RSP disciplinary committee found it a breach of conduct.