Prime Minister Sushila Karki has come under scrutiny over the appointment of her chief personal secretary, Adarsha Shrestha, as chairperson of the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) on Sunday, with critics questioning both his qualifications and past record.

Karki, who assumed office with a mandate to hold elections following the Gen Z-led movement, had earlier retained Shrestha at the Supreme Court during her tenure as chief justice and later appointed him as her personal secretary after becoming prime minister. The Cabinet’s decision to elevate him to the NTNC has drawn criticism, particularly as her tenure nears its end.

Shrestha’s past at the apex court has resurfaced in public debate. Initially appointed as a contract-based computer operator equivalent to a non-gazetted officer, he was later assigned to handle the transportation of sensitive cause lists from the chief justice’s residence in Baluwatar to the court. Allegations had surfaced at the time that information regarding case assignments was leaked prior to official publication, though no formal action was taken.

Hari Bhattarai, a former colleague of Shrestha at the top court, criticised the appointment, stating: “From Contract Officer to Chairperson: The Leap of the Gen Z Movement.”

Despite lacking a formal background in information technology, Shrestha was designated as an IT staff member during Karki’s tenure as chief justice. A subsequent attempt to grant him officer-level salary and benefits was challenged by court officials and later reversed.

Following Karki’s retirement in 2017, then chief justice Gopal Parajuli removed Shrestha from the secretariat, citing complaints, and transferred him to the IT division.

After Karki became prime minister in September 2025, Shrestha rejoined her as chief personal secretary. He soon faced allegations of turning the Prime Minister’s Secretariat into a “recruitment centre” for relatives. His wife, Sangeeta Shrestha, was also appointed to a senior position in the secretariat.

Amid pressure from Gen Z activists over alleged nepotism, Karki reduced the size of her secretariat in November 2025, though Shrestha remained in his post.

Ministers have also complained of his alleged interference in appointments at various public bodies, including the Ministry of Water Supply, Nepal Airlines Corporation and the Social Welfare Council.

The NTNC, which manages major conservation areas including Annapurna, Manaslu and Gaurishankar, operates under the NTNC Act 1982, which allows the prime minister, as patron, to nominate its chairperson.

Gen Z activist Aakriti Ghimire, who was previously removed from the prime minister’s secretariat after questioning Shrestha’s conduct, demanded the decision be scrapped. “We want accountability. What is Shrestha’s contribution to conservation?” she said.

The appointment has prompted fresh criticism from civil society and political figures. Newly elected lawmaker Mahabir Pun termed the decision “100 percent wrong” and urged Shrestha to step down to protect the prime minister’s reputation from allegations of nepotism.