Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 8:

Persons who have accumulated “incalculable wealth” by unfair means are under the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) scanner, and the chances are high that they may be summoned anytime once the “spot investigation” is over.

The RCCC officials are currently carrying out the initial phase of “on-the-spot investigation” of around 40 persons.

The RCCC will not “spare anybody” if it is proven that the person has “evaded tax, or been involved in corruption or financial irregularities”.

The RCCC spokesperson Prem Raj Karki said the commission does not directly initiate an investigation on the basis of “superficial” complaint”.

“We first see that the complaint has substance and a ring of truth before carrying out any spot investigation,” he said.

Karki refused to reveal the names of the persons being investigated. It could be anybody — a politician, a businessmen, a bureaucrat, educationist, anyone.

The Royal Commission for Corruption Control has so far received over 1,729 complaints and a majority of them are against politicians and former ministers.

Karki said that while a majority of complaints are against political leaders, who have accumulated immense wealth in the last 14 years, there are fewer complaints against tax evaders.

Sources also indicated at the probability of dragging “big fish” involved in “irregularities” and “abuse of authority” in the Melamchi Drinking Water Project (MDWP).

It can be noted that The Himalayan Times had published a news story on April 7 on MDWP and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s decision to “expedite” work related to the

access road.

Six former ministers comprising Dr Mohammed Mohsin, Yuvaraj Gyawali, Hom Nath Dahal, Jog Meher Shrestha, Badri Prasad Mandal and Purna Bahadur Khadka of the dissolved Deuba cabinet are appearing before the Royal Commission for Corruption Control for further questioning regarding their involvement in the “misuse” of over Rs 38,36,000 of the prime minister’s fund, which had been distributed to “near and dear ones” as Dashain expenses.

On the issue of land and buildings, the Royal Commission for Corruption Control officials have been holding consultations with land revenue offices.