KATHMANDU: Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigned from his post on Wednesday following mounting controversy, after being advised by top political leaders to step down.

Gurung met Prime Minister Balen Shah at Singha Durbar and formally submitted his resignation.

According to a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, party chair Rabi Lamichhane and Prime Minister Shah had suggested that Gurung voluntarily step aside to allow a fair investigation rather than being dismissed from office.

The same recommendation was reportedly made during a meeting between Gurung and Lamichhane, where he was urged to cooperate with the ongoing probe.

Sources said Prime Minister Shah had also personally called Gurung, advising him to resign in order to facilitate the investigation process.

Meanwhile, the Rastriya Swatantra Party stated that it is closely studying the controversies surrounding Gurung. The party added that the ongoing investigation is based on the clarification submitted by him.