“Padam Bahadur Gurung is the most corrupt and irresponsible man I have ever seen, cheating and betraying the Gurkhas and their struggles for equal justice.”

Gopal Siwakoti ‘Chintan’ doesn’t mince his words while talking about the former president of Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation (GAESO).
As the legal advisor to the organisation, Mr Siwakoti was a familiar face for those following the justice campaign for the Gurkhas, years before the charismatic Joanna Lumley got involved.
Ms Lumley brought the campaign to a spectacular climax in 2009 however, subsequent allegations of money embezzlement tarnished the glory somewhat.
THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE
In March this year, reports began emerging that GAESO had been charging Gurkha veterans £500 and luring them to Britain with false promises of better life.
Mr Siwakoti said: “This story is absolutely true but GAESO as an organization is not involved in this scandal. This is the sole irresponsible work of its former president, Padam Bahadur Gurung, under the invisible protection of the controversial law firm, Howe & Co Solicitors.”
Mr Siwakoti has repeatedly been extremely critical of the law firm which received legal aid to campaign for the Gurkhas.
An investigation looking into dealings of the law firm has since exonerated them of any wrongdoing.
Lawyer Balkrishna Gurung from Howe and Co insisted that his firm had never charged any of the Gurkha soldiers.

Padam Bahadur Gurung was not available for comments, however, he has in the past refuted all allegations of wrongdoing. He has also accused Mr Siwakoti of working with the Ministry of Defence on a smear campaign.
Mr Siwakoti said: “To say I was working for MoD is like saying Buddha was a killer or I am an animal having no any common sense. This was the fight I started with and led till the last minute.”

REPURCUSSIONS
Keen to disassociate itself with the case, members of GAESO have formed a new organisation under the aegis of Bhakta Sher Rai.
Mr Siwakoti is currently associated with the new GAESO. Government of Nepal is still investigating the matter.

Weekly newspaper Nepali Times covered the GAESO money embezzlement issue.