Special Court Declares Bikal Paudel Guilty of Corruption for the Second Time

KATHMANDU:  The Special Court has declared Bikal Paudel, the former executive director of Surakshya Printing Center, guilty of corruption for the second time on Monday. The verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Judge Teknarayan Kunwar and members Ram Bahadur Thapa and Ritendra Thapa.

Paudel was found guilty of obtaining benefits by submitting false information. The court sentenced him to six months in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. Additionally, he received another six months of imprisonment for assuming the position of secretary by providing false information.

The corruption charges against Paudel stem from an investigation by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). On April 21, 2024, the CIAA filed a corruption case against Paudel, accusing him of obtaining a US Permanent Residence Permit (PR), concealing this information, and subsequently securing a public position in Nepal.

This latest conviction follows an earlier ruling by the Special Court. Last Tuesday, the court found Paudel guilty of corruption related to his tenure at Surakshya Printing Center. In that case, he was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay Rs 250.47 million in compensation.

The repeated findings of guilt underscore the severe breaches of trust and misuse of public office by Paudel. The CIAA’s investigation revealed that Paudel had systematically deceived authorities to secure and maintain his position within the government while benefiting from undisclosed assets and privileges.

The Special Court’s decisions highlight the ongoing efforts by Nepalese authorities to clamp down on corruption and uphold accountability within public institutions. By imposing substantial penalties and prison sentences, the court aims to deter similar misconduct among public officials.

The verdicts against Paudel have sparked discussions about the integrity of public office holders and the importance of transparency in government operations. As the cases against him illustrate, maintaining rigorous oversight and enforcing stringent anti-corruption measures are critical to preserving public trust in governmental institutions.

The Special Court’s judgments are expected to set a precedent for handling corruption cases in the future, reinforcing the message that abuse of power and corrupt practices will be met with severe consequences.

The broader implications of these rulings are significant for Nepal’s ongoing fight against corruption. They reflect the judicial system’s commitment to addressing corruption at all levels and ensuring that individuals who violate the public trust are held accountable for their actions.