Corruption Case Against Former Officials Over Health Equipment Purchase Set for Hearing

The hearing for the corruption case filed against the former secretary, director, and others involved in the purchase of health equipment at the Provincial Public Health Laboratory under the Ministry of Social Development of Madhesh Province has been scheduled for Tuesday under the 'Heredaherda' status as the proceedings could not be concluded.

The case was scheduled for hearing on Monday before the bench comprising Chairman Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and Judges Hemanta Rawal and Dilliratna Shrestha of the Special Court.

On Jestha 14, 2082, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case against nine individuals, including the then Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development of Madhesh Province, Imanarayan Shrestha, Accounts Officer Navin Das, and then Senior Health Administrator Muktinarayan Sah, after irregularities were found in the purchase of health equipment.

The CIAA sought a claim of Rs 218,939,780 in damages against the then Secretary Shrestha, Accounts Officer Das, and then Senior Health Administrator Sah of the Ministry of Social Development of Madhesh Province.

Similarly, a claim of Rs 218,939,780 in damages was sought against the then Director of the Provincial Public Health Laboratory Janakpurdham, Dr. Shrawankumar Mishra, Senior Lab Technician Gunananda Prasad Sah, Technologist Manmohan Mishra, and Lab Technologist Ramudgar Sah.

A similar claim of Rs 218,939,780 in damages was sought against Microbiologist Jitendrakumar Sah, Amrendrakumar Mishra, Medical Lab Technologist Dipendrakumar Mishra, Lab Assistant Ramesh Kumar Mandal, Karmashil Prasad Gop, Umesh Chaudhary, and Accounts Officer Amardeep Mahato.

Furthermore, a claim of Rs 218,939,780 in damages was sought against Vishal Pandit, the operator of the supplier Hospitech Enterprises.