KATHMANDU: Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has adopted a strategy of maintaining confidentiality in investigation process by ending the culture of pre-investigation publicity.

The Commission stated this in a report presented on its behalf to the State Affairs and Governance Committee. The Commission made it clear that its strategy and future course of action would be free of bias and revenge motive. The investigation process would be based on facts, evidences and the rule of law.

CIAA, previously, had received widespread criticism for its activities which were allegedly motivated by the sense of revenge, animosity and intended at defaming particular persons. Therefore, it has promised free, fair and independent investigation process and internal strengthening of the organisation.

At the Committee meeting today, CIAA chief Nabin Kumar Ghimire pledged to bring people indulging in corruption to book.

CIAA has pledged to investigate any irregularities in development projects in order to ensure quality work. "The Commission is committed to checking Illegal activities like public land encroachment, embezzlement of government budget, and corruption in revenue collection," said CIAA.

The Committee said all bodies are expected to help control corruption, maintain good governance and achieve prosperity.

CIAA has stated that it filed 194 cases against 426 individuals, in fiscal year 2016/17, seeking to recover Rs 403.3 million in misappropriated amount and fine them.

Among these cases, 97 are related to bribe, 64 to fake certificate, 13 concerning damage to and loss of public property, four related to amassing property disproportionate to the legal income, eight related to illegal benefits, five related to revenue misappropriation, and three miscellaneous cases.