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

Kathmandu. The corruption case against former Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province, Dirgha Bahadur Sodari, has been scheduled for hearing at the Special Court. The case is listed for hearing before a bench comprising Special Court judges Narayan Prasad Poudel and Hemanta Rawal.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the corruption case against Sodari on Jestha 19, demanding a penalty of NPR 10,838,302.57. The CIAA filed the case in the Special Court accusing Sodari of accumulating illicit wealth through actions contrary to his official duties.

In 2074 BS (2017/2018 AD), when he was Chief Minister, Sodari had declared the total assets of himself and his family to be NPR 8,551,334.92 earned through legal means.

However, the CIAA mentioned in the charge sheet that after assuming office, investigations revealed that he accumulated NPR 10,838,357.57 in illicit wealth through the abuse of power. The charge sheet states that Sodari misused his position as Chief Minister to purchase land, construct houses, and increase bank deposits in the names of his wife, Gita Sodari, and son, Babika.

Sodari spent a total of NPR 19,389,637.49 under various headings including land purchase, house construction, interior decoration, daughter's education expenses, son's wedding expenses, share investment, and election expenses.