The central office of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority in Tangal hosted the wedding reception of Karki’s only daughter, Dr Aadhyashree Karki, with Shuva Aashis Thapaliya, son of entrepreneur Rohani Thapaliya.

Those attending the event said a large number of police personnel and civil servants were deployed to take care of the affair. Concerned with possible criticism, Karki had instructed the police to take gifts from guests before they entered the CIAA premises. Only 51 jantis (wedding guests) were invited to the event. The Social Behaviour Reform Act, which Karki initiated to enforce, allows only 51 attendants and limits gold offerings to the bride or the groom at 20 grams, among other stipulations.

Facebook and Twitter, among other social networks, were abuzz with negative comments for misusing the government office for a private ceremony. People also attacked Karki for blocking roads outside for unhindered movement of the invitees.

“CIAA chief Lokman Singh Karki’s daughter’s wedding looks like abuse of authority to me,” civil society leader and political commentator Kanak Mani Dixit tweeted.

Many Twitter and Facebook users mockingly asked Karki to develop the office as a party palace while some demanded his impeachment. “Parliament should impeach the CIAA chief with a two-thirds majority if the people are sovereign and it honours people’s aspirations,” Nepali Journalist tweeted.

No high-profile dignitaries such as the prime minister and the President were invited to the ceremony. Karki, however, invited former Inspector General of Police Achyut Krishna Kharel, entrepreneur Deepak Malhotra and Anuradha Koirala, among others.

Karki’s aides, however, defended the event. “There was no such extravaganza. It was an ordinary function. I don’t know why the media is reporting otherwise,” said Karki’s aide Bhawani Subedi.