KATHMANDU, MARCH 18
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority today filed a chargesheet against nine persons, including former chiefs of Transport Management Office, Pokhara, for their alleged involvement in corruption.
Those sued by the anti-graft body are Gokul Sharma Paudel and Hari Prasad Gautam (former chiefs of TMO), section officers Bharatraj Kafle, Dilliram Baral, Prem Prasad Shrestha and Bharatmani Baral, computer officer Homnath Sharma, computer operators Jhalak Paudel and Mohanmani Subedi.
CIAA Spokesperson Shyam Prasad Bhandari said they had altered the results of trial exam conducted for driving licence in November 2018 and October/November 2019 in a sheer abuse of power and authority.
According to the CIAA, they were found to have altered the results of 168 examinees.
"The names of 166 examinees, who failed or did not attend the trial, were mentioned as 'pass' in driving licence vehicle registration system and issued licence.
Similarly, the indicted officials and employees altered the results of two candidates, who passed the trial test, to show them failed," read a press release.
The officials and employees had worked in collusion to serve their private interest in contravention of the prevailing law.
Licence was issued to those, who did not even attend the trial or failed in the trial. No person, who failed the written or trial exam, was entitled to attend the written test or trial for the second time before three months.
Contrary to this legal provision, they allowed ineligible candidates to appear for test, issued driving licence to unsuccessful or absent candidates and tampered with the driving test results.
Their unethical activities had also resulted in revenue loss. They have been charged under Section 13 of Prevention of Corruption Act-2002.
In the charge-sheet, the CIAA has sought maximum punishment against them as per the provisions in the same section.
If any authorised person alters the results of examinations with the intention of gaining illegal advantage, he/ she shall be liable to imprisonment from three months to one year, along with the fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 depending on the gravity of the offence.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 19, 2022, of The Himalayan Times
