CIAA begins probe into NAC airbus purchase deal

KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has begun an investigation into the controversial airbus purchase deal of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).

“We have been investigating into the matter since it has become controversial,” Lalit Bahadur Limbu at the CIAA told The Himalayan Times. The NAC has been doing homework to buy two airbuses.

The anti-graft body today confiscated the documents related to the controversial Rs 10-billion deal from the NAC. The latter has been doing homework to buy two airbuses from a Multi-National European Airbus Company. The Corporation has taken Rs 10 billion loan from the Employees Provident Fund for the purchase.

The CIAA today summoned Chairman of the NAC Sugat Ratna Kanshakar and interrogated him.

“We have sought information from him and we have demanded more documents to justify his claim as he had tried to justify the deal during today’s inquiry,” Limbu added.

“We have asked him to produce the documents related to the deal ,” Limbu said, adding, “This is an initial phase of investigation and we will continue to pursue the case until the guilty is booked.”

The anti-graft constitutional body began the probe into alleged irregularities of the Nepal Airlines Corporation after receiving a flurry of complaints accusing the NAC management of being involved in corruption.

“We have also been studying the board decision, the government’s stance and the other related matters as well,” Limbu added.