Corruption Case Hearing Against Former Sudurpashchim Chief Minister Postponed

The hearing on the corruption case against former Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province, Dirgha Bahadur Sodari, has been postponed. The case, being heard by a bench comprising Special Court Chairman Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and Judges Hemanta Rawal and Bidur Koirala, was postponed at the request of the government's side.

Previously, the case was scheduled for hearing on Poush 14, but it was postponed after Sodari's legal counsel filed a petition. 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 illicit assets.

The CIAA claimed assets worth NPR 108,383,025.57 against Sodari. The commission also sought the confiscation of land, house construction, and bank deposits purchased in the names of Sodari's wife, Gita Sodari, and son, Babi Sodari.

The CIAA alleges that Sodari illegally amassed a significant amount of property by abusing his position while holding public office between Magh 7, 2074, and Magh 10, 2079 (Bikram Sambat).

Sodari's documented sources of income during that period, including salary, bank interest, agricultural income, salary of his wife and children, and social security allowances, totaled only NPR 85,513,349.92. However, during the same period, Sodari spent a total of NPR 193,896,374.49 on expenses such as land purchases, house construction, interior decoration, daughter's educational expenses, son's marriage expenses, share investment, and election costs.

Comparing total income and expenditure, the CIAA claims that Sodari had unaccounted funds amounting to NPR 108,383,025.57.