Anti-Graft Body Files Case Against Former Bharatpur Metropolitan Engineer for Illicit Asset Accumulation

Kathmandu. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a case at the Special Court against Bharat Kumar Acharya, the former Senior Engineer of Bharatpur Metropolitan City in Chitwan, on charges of acquiring illegal assets.

Asserting that he engaged in activities contrary to the dignity of his public office to amass illicit wealth, the Commission has filed a lawsuit demanding a claim of over 6 crore 78 lakh rupees against him on Tuesday.

The Commission based its asset investigation on the period from Acharya's entry into service on Magh 6, 2048 BS, until Ashad 6, 2080 BS. During the investigation, Acharya and his family's legitimate income was found to be only 3 crore 51 lakh 4 thousand 210 rupees. However, his expenditure and investment during the same period were found to be unusually high, amounting to 10 crore 29 lakh 99 thousand 226 rupees.

The Commission noted that 6 crore 78 lakh 95 thousand 15 rupees worth of assets belonging to Acharya could not be accounted for in comparison to his legitimate income. It was found that this amount, acquired through the abuse of public office, was spent on purchasing land and real estate, constructing houses, buying vehicles, insurance, and funding his children's higher education.

Furthermore, investments in shares and deposits in various banks and financial institutions were also discovered. A CIAA press release stated that the investigation revealed Acharya had acquired land and other assets in the name of his wife, Lily Subedi, to conceal the wealth earned through corruption. The Commission has filed the case making Mrs. Subedi a defendant as well, seeking the confiscation of the illegal assets held in their names.

The Commission also stated that the asset details submitted by Engineer Acharya were inconsistent and suspicious. The Commission concluded that he concealed his actual assets and presented false details while maintaining a high standard of living without a reasonable justification.

CIAA Spokesperson Suresh Neupane informed that the Commission has demanded imprisonment and fines equivalent to the claimed amount, along with the confiscation of illegally acquired assets, as per the former Prevention of Corruption Act, 2017, and the prevailing Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059.