Former Sudurpashchim Chief Minister's Corruption Case Scheduled for Hearing at Special Court

The hearing for the corruption case filed against former Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province, Dirgha Bahadur Sodari, has been scheduled at the Special Court in Kathmandu today.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the case against Sodari at the Special Court on Jestha 19, accusing him of acquiring disproportionate assets. The CIAA has sought a claim of NPR 10.838 million (10,838,302.57 rupees) against Sodari in the corruption lawsuit.

According to the CIAA, Sodari illegally acquired a significant amount of wealth by abusing his position during his tenure in public service from Magh 7, 2074 BS, to Magh 10, 2079 BS.

The commission's investigation revealed that Sodari's total declared income from salary, bank interest, agricultural income, salary of his wife and children, social security allowance, etc., amounted to only NPR 8.551 million (8,551,334.92 rupees). However, the CIAA claims that during the same period, he spent a total of NPR 19.389 million (19,389,637.49 rupees) on expenditures including land purchases, house construction, interior decoration, daughter's education expenses, son's wedding expenses, share investment, and election costs.

Comparing the total income and expenditure, the commission concluded that NPR 10.838 million (10,838,302.57 rupees) was the amount with an unknown source. The CIAA has demanded the confiscation of land purchased, house construction, and bank deposits held in the names of Sodari's wife, Gita Sodari, and son, Bobi Sodari.

The indictment filed at the Special Court in Kathmandu demands that Sodari be convicted of corruption and sentenced to imprisonment and fines commensurate with the claimed amount. Furthermore, it demands additional action as he was found to have submitted false details by not disclosing the true status of his assets.