A security guard at Chhaya Centre in Thamel faced detention because he asked a minister not to jump the line.

Sher Jung Gurung, a security guard from Garud Security Services employed at the visa centre in the Thamel-based complex, was taken to police custody after he asked Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha, who was at the centre in a personal capacity, to stay in line.

The incident took place on Friday.

Minister Shrestha had reached the visa centre for biometrics for his and his family’s trip to Canada, according to police sources.

When he tried to breach the line as other service seekers were waiting for their turn, Gurung asked him to remain in the queue.

The minister’s bodyguards informed Gurung that Shrestha was a minister. Upon learning that, the security guard replied that there were many other people waiting before the minister arrived and asked the minister to wait for his turn.

The response enraged the minister and he had a heated exchange with Gurung.

In the midst of the crowd, Minister Shrestha completed his work and returned to the ministry.

After returning, the Tourism Ministry wrote to the Home Ministry stating that the security guard had misbehaved with the minister and sought action against the accused.

The Home Ministry forwarded the Tourism Ministry’s letter to the Nepal Police Headquarters. The letter was then sent to the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, which forwarded it to Kathmandu Police Range and finally the letter reached Durbar Marg Police Circle.

Security personnel from the circle, as per the letter, detained Gurung and are preparing to file a case of “indecent behaviour” against Gurung.

Gurung is currently being held at the Durbar Marg Police Circle.

Kathmandu Police Range Chief SSP Bharat Bohora said that Gurung was in police custody and action will be taken against him as per the law.

“The security guard has been arrested and is in police custody following a complaint that he had misbehaved with the minister,” said Bohora. “The Durbar Marg Police Circle is investigating the matter and if there is an offence, legal action will be taken.”

DSP Kopila Chudal, chief of the Durbar Marg Police Circle, said that they are investigating the case after receiving a complaint of misbehaviour with a minister.

“He [Shrestha] is the sitting minister of the country who was with government security personnel. The minister's bodyguard had also made repeated requests but since the security guard resorted to misbehaving, the Tourism Ministry sent a complaint to the Home Ministry which was forwarded to our office through the police headquarters following which we arrested the security guard and the process of legal action has been initiated,” said Chudal.

The police have filed a case against Gurung under Clause 118 of the National Penal Code.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office on Sunday allowed the police to keep Gurung in custody for five days for investigation.