Khotang, April 30

First class non-gazetted officer Kedar Nath Khanal of District Hospital Khotang was held today for taking bribe from as many as 13 persons with the false assurance that he would get them jobs as Assistant Health Worker in the hospital.

Three months ago, The eastern regional Health Directorate had announced vacancies for 30 individuals for AHWs on contractual basis.

Khanal was arrested after victims filed a case against him with the police when they were later not selected for the posts. As per the complaints, the alleged had collected Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 per person from the victims.

Security personnel held Khanal from the hospital and handed him over to District Administration Office.

Preliminary investigation has found that the money Khanal collected was with Gyan Prasad Pokhrel of eastern regional Health Service Directorate, Dhankuta. Pokhrel accepted the charge and vowed to return the money with interest.

The Nepali Congress padlocked the administration office of the hospital and demanded stern action against the guilty today.

“We have submitted a three-minute long video in which Khanal has clearly accepted that he took the bribe money from 13 examinees,” said NC leader Tirtha Raj Bhattarai.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Prahlad Pokhrel said that action would be taken after necessary probe.

Khanal has served as a civil servant for 30 years and was in line to be promoted to officer’s post this year, before his compulsory retirement after two years.