Special Court Orders Former Sudurpashchim Chief Minister Sodari to Submit Written Arguments in Corruption Case

Kathmandu. The Special Court has ordered former Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province, Dirgha Bahadur Sodari, to submit written arguments in his corruption case.

On Monday, the bench comprising Special Court Chairman Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and members Hemanta Rawal and Dilliratna Shrestha issued the order to submit the written arguments. After the written arguments are submitted, the judges will conduct a final hearing and deliver a verdict after a thorough study of the notes, evidence in the case file, arguments from lawyers of both sides, and legal provisions.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has claimed a total amount of NPR 108,383,025.57 against Sodari in the corruption case filed against him. The CIAA filed the case in the Special Court on Jestha 19, accusing former Chief Minister Sodari of acquiring disproportionate assets.

According to the CIAA, Sodari illegally amassed a large amount of wealth by abusing his position during his tenure in public service from Magh 7, 2074, to Magh 10, 2079 (Bikram Sambat). The Commission's investigation revealed that Sodari's total income from salary, bank interest, agricultural income, salary of his wife and children, social security allowance, etc., amounted only to NPR 85,513,334.92.

However, the CIAA claims that during the same period, he spent a total of NPR 193,896,374.49 under various heads, including land purchase, house construction, interior decoration, daughter's education expenses, son's marriage expenses, share investment, and election expenses.

Comparing the total income and expenditure, the Commission concluded that NPR 108,383,025.57 was an amount of undisclosed source. The CIAA has also demanded the confiscation of land, house construction, and bank deposits purchased in the names of Sodari's wife, Gita Sodari, and son, Bobi Sodari.

The charge sheet filed at the Special Court, Kathmandu, demands that Sodari be convicted of corruption and sentenced to imprisonment and a fine commensurate with the misappropriated amount.