KATHMANDU, JUNE 26

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has slammed former Pashupati Area Development Trust secretary Dr Pradeep Dhakal with a lawsuit in the special court for earning illegal property worth Rs 14.41 million through illegitimate means.

Issuing a statement today, the anti-graft body said Dhakal could show the legal source of his income worth Rs 63.99 million during his tenure in office.

While analysing the balance amount in his and his family's bank account at the time of his entry into public service, Dhakal's legal source of income were his salary, incentive allowance, meeting allowance, travel allowance, additional benefits, and the amount received from the Citizen Investment Fund after retirement from service.

The loan amount taken from various banks and financial institutions, including the amount received from the sale of shares and personal agreement reached with various people, was also analysed, stated the CIAA.

However, investment in land and house, interior decoration of the house, interest payments for loans taken from various banks and financial institutions, service charges paid while taking loans from banks and financial institutions, purchase of shares of various companies, sums of money received from various individuals and expenditure on repayment, amount spent through clearing from bank account and expenditure on medical treatment amounted to Rs 78.40 million.

According to the CIAA, Dhakal is accused of acquiring assets worth Rs 14.40 million from undisclosed sources.

He served as member secretary of PADT from 16 August 2017 to 13 June 2022. The CIAA has conducted an investigation into the property acquired by Dhakal during this period.

According to the prevailing law, it appears to be inconsistent and unnatural, and he maintained an unnaturally high standard of living. It has been confirmed that Pradip Dhakal committed an offence under subsection (1) of section 20 of the prevalent Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002 by misusing his position and illegally acquiring property worth Rs. 14.41 million, the CIAA stated.

In addition to these findings, the sources of wealth illegally acquired by Dhakal during the investigation period have not been disclosed.

According to Section 47 of the 2002 Act and Section 29B of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act, 1991, a charge-sheet was filed today in the Special Court, Kathmandu, seeking confiscation and fines. The investigation was launched acting on a complaint, said CIAA Spokesperson Bhola Dahal.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 27, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.