Corruption case filed against Budhiganga ex-mayor, 13 others

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Jan. 5: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a charge sheet against 14 individuals, including Budhiganga Municipality former Mayor Deepak Bikram Shah and its official, and Jagriti/M. K./Nepal JV, Dhangadhi, over alleged irregularities amounting to Rs. 32.77 million in the construction of Budhiganga Municipality administrative building in Bajura district, at the Special Court on Sunday.

According to the CIAA, officials of Budhiganga Municipality colluded with a specific construction company while awarding the contract for the building construction, with the intent to restrict competition and cause financial loss to the government. The project, approved by the municipality in the fiscal year 2021/22, had an allocated budget of Rs. 30 million, while the revised cost estimate later exceeded Rs. 122.4 million, including VAT and contingencies.

The investigations found that tender documents were deliberately amended in phases to favour Jagriti/M.K./Nepal JV.  As part of the process, unrelated works such as the installation of CCTV cameras and high-mast lighting systems were added to the contract, which limited competition.

Despite the selected bidder’s quoted price being 5.05 per cent higher than the cost estimate, officials allegedly manipulated procurement documents by illegally incorporating a 7 per cent discount through a separate hard-copy price bid, in violation of electronic procurement rules and public procurement laws. The CIAA stated that this resulted in a financial loss of Rs. 32.77 million compared to the lowest bidder.

The case also names former Chief Administrative Officer Prem Kaji Maharjan, former engineer Paras Khati, former sub-engineer Ganesh Raj Regmi, and others as defendants. The CIAA has sought punishment under Section 17 of the Corruption Prevention Act, 2002, and recovery of the loss amount from the defendants.