CIAA files a case against nine individuals regarding security printing press, demanding Rs 690 mln

KATHMANDU: On Sunday, a case regarding the alleged Rs 690 million scam involving the purchase of a security printing press was filed in the special court by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority. The executive director of the center, Bikal Poudel, is one of nine people who have been accused by the anti-corruption monitoring body.

The authority is accused of creating and approving unusual cost estimates, accepting inferior “electrical transformers” in violation of the purchase agreement, accepting and paying for generators whose ‘country of origin’ differs from those specified in the contract, and paying more up front for structure operation and post-supply services without performing the necessary work as per the purchase agreement.

The authority is also accused of using government funds improperly and causing illegal damage to government property.

Rs 69.08 million against Executive Director Poudel, Rs 494.6 million against CDE Kumar Pokharel, Rs 203.8 million against assistant director Ramesh Prasad Pokharel, and Rs 198.8 million against Ram Bahadur Budha, who is retired from accounts officer.

It has been asserted that officer Shirish Upadhyay was charged with Rs 403.9 million, officer Rohitman Pradhan with 234.4 million, officer Bhuban Maharjan with 435.7 million and officer Mitralal Gurau with 8 million.