Key Takeaways:

• Rs 750,000 allegedly obtained from a service seeker found in sofa; Rs 71,115 additional unexplained cash seized
• Complaint alleged bribe demanded for releasing payment on boring and motor installation works
• Suspects kept under surveillance before arrest

SARLAHI, JULY 25 The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has arrested the chief of the Groundwater Resources and Irrigation Development Division Office in Sarlahi and a mechanical officer after recovering Rs 821,115, including Rs 750,000 allegedly received as a bribe, during a raid Friday evening. The CIAA's Bardibas regional office conducted the operation at the rented residence of Division Chief Anupama Dhakal in Bagmati Municipality–12. Investigators recovered Rs 750,000 allegedly obtained from a service seeker from a sofa where Dhakal and Mechanical Officer Tulakanta Chaudhary were seated. An additional Rs 71,115 of unexplained cash was also seized. The operation followed a complaint alleging that the two officials had demanded a bribe in exchange for releasing payment for completed boring and motor installation works. Investigators had kept the suspects under surveillance before apprehending them with the cash. The CIAA said both officials have been taken into custody and are under investigation on corruption charges.