KATHMANDU, Jan 6: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against four individuals, including the chairperson of the Jagriti Women Community Forest Users Committee in Triyuga Municipality-1, Udayapur.
The Special Court in Kathmandu received the charge sheet on Tuesday, alleging that committee officials and the auditor colluded to embezzle government funds.
The accused include former chairperson Mina Kumari Chaudhary, secretary Janaki Kumari Chaudhary, treasurer Nilam Chaudhary Tharu, and auditor Tanuk Lal Chaudhary.
CIAA files graft case in Rs 12.36 million VAT embezzlement
According to CIAA spokesperson Suresh Neupane, the accused allegedly embezzled Rs 515,302 by submitting fake bills related to building construction, timber collection, distribution of gas cylinders to users, and road gravel works.
The investigation found that while technical reports showed actual building construction expenses of Rs 495,251, audit records inflated the amount to Rs 808,453, resulting in the embezzlement of Rs 313,000.
Similarly, timber collection approved by the general assembly amounted to Rs 237,000, but Rs 354,000 was reported as spent, leading to the embezzlement of Rs 116,000. Gas cylinder expenses were inflated by Rs 7,720, while road gravel works that were never carried out were falsely recorded, resulting in the embezzlement of Rs 77,600.
The auditor, Tanuk Lal Chaudhary, is accused of facilitating the corruption by preparing audit reports for the fiscal year 2020/21 without verifying measurements or supporting bills.
The CIAA has sought fines and imprisonment against all three committee officials under Section 17 of the Corruption (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2059, amounting to Rs 515,302. Similar penalties have been sought against the auditor.
