Anti-Graft Body Files Corruption Case Against Six, Including Former Lamahi Chief, for Issuing Nepali Citizenship to Indian National Using Forged Documents

Kathmandu. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) today filed a corruption case at the Special Court against six individuals, including the then Chief of the Area Administration Office, Lamahi, Dang, for allegedly issuing Nepali citizenship to an Indian national using forged documents.

The CIAA filed the charge sheet against the then Ward Chairman of Rajpur Rural Municipality-4, Dang, Rameshwor Yadav (Rameshwor Ahi), the then Chief of the Area Administration Office, Lamahi (Section Officer) Prem Bahadur Khawas, Ward Secretary Rajesh Kumar Kahar, Office Assistant Mina Chaudhary, the Indian national who obtained citizenship Alam Jolha, and Aaisa Jolha who provided verification.

The CIAA concluded that an organized gang forged government documents to issue citizenship to Indian national Alam Jolha, claiming him to be the son of the late Sanaulla Jolha, whose permanent address was Rajpur Rural Municipality-4, Dang. According to the investigation, although Sanaulla Jolha had died on Baisakh 15, 2034 BS, the date of death in the death registration certificate was altered and changed to Baisakh 15, 2041 BS. The CIAA statement mentioned that based on this, a fraudulent birth registration was prepared claiming Alam Jolha was born on फागुन 25, 2039 BS.

During the citizenship application process, the defendant Aaisa Jolha falsely verified that Alam was her full sibling, and Ward Chairman Rameshwor Yadav recommended citizenship based on the same details. According to the CIAA, based on that recommendation, the then Chief of the Area Administration Office, Lamahi, Prem Bahadur Khawas, issued the Nepali citizenship certificate to Alam Jolha on Mangsir 28, 2075 BS, without properly verifying lineage documentation and the police on-site verification report.

The Commission concluded that the involved employees and people's representatives illegally benefited by granting lineage-based citizenship to an Indian national. In the filed case, the CIAA has demanded imprisonment and fines against the then Office Chief Prem Bahadur Khawas and Ward Chairman Rameshwor Yadav under Section 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059. Similarly, Ward Secretary Rajesh Kumar Kahar and Office Assistant Mina Chaudhary have been charged under Section 11 of the same Act.

CIAA Spokesperson Suresh Neupane informed that demands for punishment equivalent to that of the main culprits have been made against Alam Jolha, who obtained the citizenship, and Aaisa Jolha, who provided verification.