CIAA files corruption cases against ex-officers

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Apr. 13: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed corruption cases against Bheemdatta Municipality's former chief administrative officer Pushkar Prasad Bhatta, account officer Govinda Raj Upadhyaya, former engineer Himalaya Singh Aair, officer Subash Adhikari, first-class non-gazettete officer Bishnu Dev Bhatta, accountant Dipendra Chaudhary and others in the Special Court, Kathmandu, on Wednesday.

According to the CIAA, Bheemdatta Municipality had embezzled government revenue of Rs. 54,331,827 while signing contract with Bhawani Construction Pvt. Ltd. in Fiscal Year 2021/022 for a tender on extracting river materials from Mahakali River. 

The CIAA has demanded a fine of Rs. 54,331,827 from former chief administrative officer Bhatta and account officer Upadhyaya and punishment in accordance with the Prevention of Corruption Act 2002. They both had signed the contract on behalf of the municipality. 

Similarly, CIAA had claimed that former engineer Aaire, accountant Chaudhary and officers Adhikari and Bhatta had leaked the revenue of Rs. 19,572,107 by preparing tender booklet. It has sought a fine of the same amount from the four. 

The CIAA also filed cases against operators, official representatives and nearest claimer of Shree Bhawani Construction Pvt. Ltd. It demanded the construction company be fined Rs. 54,331,827.

The CIAA has demanded all be punished under the Prevention of Corruption Act 2002.