Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a second corruption case at the Special Court over alleged irregularities in the construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport, seeking recovery of Rs 461.58 million (Rs 46 crore 15 lakh 84 thousand 434).
The anti-graft body has named 21 individuals and two companies as defendants, including former Tourism Secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari.
Allegations of Financial Irregularities
According to the CIAA, major irregularities occurred in the appointment and payment of consultancy services for the airport project. The commission stated that while the maximum approved consultancy cost under the project framework stood at Rs 339.4 million, a separate cost estimate of Rs 503.4 million was prepared to be financed through the internal budget of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), which was not permissible.
The CIAA claims that despite knowing such expenditures could not be legally covered through CAAN’s internal budget, officials proceeded with agreements and payments. A consultancy contract worth Rs 428.9 million was signed, out of which Rs 406.8 million has already been paid.
Investigators have also alleged direct financial loss, misuse, and embezzlement, along with payments exceeding cost estimates outlined in procurement agreements. The commission has identified an additional recoverable amount of Rs 67.39 million as part of the total claimed damages.
High-Level Officials Among Defendants
The accusion includes several high-ranking officials associated with the aviation sector and the national pride project, including:
Former CAAN Director Generals Sanjeev Gautam and Rajan PokharelFormer Deputy Director General Mahendra Singh RawalFormer Project Directors Pradeep Adhikari and Baburam PoudelFormer Project Chief Binesh Munkarmi
Along with them, multiple senior accounts officials, managers, and engineers involved in the Pokhara airport project have also been charged.
Background and Ongoing Investigation
The CIAA had earlier indicated, during the filing of the first case, that further التحقيق was ongoing regarding tax exemptions and procurement decisions linked to the airport construction. This second charge sheet follows that commitment, expanding the scope of alleged financial misconduct.
The Pokhara Regional International Airport, a key national pride project aimed at boosting tourism and regional connectivity, has remained under scrutiny over cost overruns, financing structures, and procurement transparency.
The latest legal action is expected to intensify debate over governance, accountability, and financial discipline in Nepal’s large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those funded through external loans and executed under complex institutional arrangements.
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