KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 29

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has filed two chargesheets against 10 persons at the Special Court for their alleged involvement in corruption and embezzlement of state funds.

In the first charge-sheet, six persons have been indicted for corruption. They include chief of Mugu-based Agricultural Development Office Panchalal Budha, sub-engineer Rajendra Shahi, Chairperson of Irrigation Channel Construction Users' Committee Jaya Bahadur Malla, Treasurer Chetana Shahi, Secretary Shanti Shahi Malla and member Tapa Bahadur Malla.

According to a press release issued by the anti-graft body, ADO Chief Panchalal and sub-engineer Rajendra had embezzled Rs 809,352 allocated for the construction of irrigation channel in Chayanath Rara Municipality in cahoots with office-bearers of the users' committee.

They had endorsed the work completion report and released payment in the fiscal 2019-20 without completing the prescribed construction works, in addition to mentioning the works which were never carried out.

The CIAA has sought jail sentence and recovery of the amount in question along with fine equivalent thereto under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002.

In the second charge-sheet, the anti-graft body has indicted four persons. They comprise Chief Divisional Engineer Madan Mohan Jha of Parsa-based Narayani Irrigation Management Division, Account Officer Murari Prasad Acharya, Chairperson of users' committee of Haripur Canal Reshaping Work and Treasurer Raj Kishor Prasad.

The CIAA said the defendants had embezzled Rs 561,950 meant for canal reshaping work. According to the anti-graft body, they forged bills and released payment without carrying out the construction works. The canal reshaping work should have been carried out with the allocated budget, but the government officers and users' committee members colluded to show the work on paper rather than in the field with mala fide intention of embezzling the fund.

The CIAA has demanded that they be sentenced to jail and asked to refund the embezzled amount along with fine equivalent to amount in question under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002.

A version of this article appears in the print on November 30, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.