The Ministry of Youth and Sports has suspended National Sports Council (NSC) Vice President Lama Tendi Sherpa from his duty on the grounds of his pending criminal case at the court. 

The Ministry took the decision in the effect saying: “He (Sherpa) will be barred from his office until the court delivers its verdict.”  Lama was arrested for alleged gold smuggling case on March 28, 2015 after he was nabbed with possession of 25 tolas of gold at the Tribhuvan International Airport while he was returning from Hong Kong.

The court is yet to come out with a verdict.  “We received a letter from Custom Department which stated that Lama was facing criminal charge and he was freed after paying bail of Rs 1.3 million,” said Sports Minister Rajendra Kumar KC. “Since it is disputed and criminal case, we needed to take that decision.”

Sherpa, a former student leader with CPN UML, has established himself as one of the strongest sports officials of the country holding the post of Nepal Olympic Committee General Secretary and NSC vice-president. He is also the president of the Nepal Basketball Association.

Sherpa said he is yet to get any formal letter about his suspension.