Gokarneshwor Mayor faces Rs. 36.8 million graft case

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Dec. 15: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case against former Mayor of Gokarneshwor Municipality, Santosh Chalise, accusing him of accumulating illegal assets worth more than Rs. 36.8 million during his five-year tenure, at the Special Court on Sunday.

The CIAA accused Chalise of abusing his official position and violating public office ethics to amass unlawful wealth. According to the CIAA, during the investigation period of his term from May 22, 2017, when he assumed office, until July 7, 2022, Chalise’s legal income, along with his wife, sons, and daughter-in-law, was approximately Rs. 48.83 million, while his expenditure was approximately Rs. 85.68 million on house construction, land purchases, business investments, loan repayments, vehicle expenses, insurance premiums, share purchases, and other expenditures.

The investigation concluded that expenditures exceeded declared income by Rs. 36.84 million, the source of which could not be reasonably established. 

In the case, Chalise, along with his wife Mandira Chalise, sons Sagar and Sanjiv Chalise, and daughter-in-law Pramila Pokharel have been presented as defendants.

The CIAA claimed a fine of Rs. 36.84 million from Chalise and punishment in accordance with Clause 16 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002.