Anti-Graft Body Files Corruption Case Against Rukum (West) Mayor for Accepting Bribe

Kathmandu. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against Pushpa Badi, the Mayor of Chaurajhari Municipality in Rukum (West).

 The Commission filed the charge sheet on Tuesday against him and the employee who gave the bribe, on the allegation of accepting a bribe of one lakh rupees for extending the contract service of an employee.

According to the CIAA, Mayor Badi had demanded a bribe from Mohan Shah, who was working on a contract basis as an Assistant Sub-Engineer at Chaurajhari Municipality, to extend his term.

When Shah could not provide the one lakh rupees demanded for the extension of the term for the fiscal year 2081/082, he was dismissed from service. However, Shah later deposited one lakh rupees into Mayor Badi's personal bank account on Shrawan 8, 2080 (July 24, 2023) for the extension of his term for the fiscal year 2082/083.

It was revealed during the investigation that his contract period was only continued after the amount was deposited into the bank account. The CIAA initiated an investigation after a complaint was filed along with the relevant bank voucher.

Stating that it was confirmed that Mayor Badi misused his office to accept the bribe, the CIAA has demanded punishment against him, setting the claim amount at one lakh rupees for the offense under Section 3 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059.

It has been demanded that he be sentenced to imprisonment, fined according to the claim amount, and the bribe money be confiscated as per the same Act. Furthermore, since he holds an elected public office like Mayor, a demand for additional punishment under Section 24 of the Act has also been made, informed CIAA Spokesperson Suresh Neupane.

Similarly, the CIAA has also made Assistant Sub-Engineer Mohan Shah, who gave the bribe to the Mayor with the objective of continuing his service contract, a defendant.

The statement issued by the Commission mentions that a charge sheet has been filed at the Special Court against Shah as well, demanding imprisonment and a fine, setting the claim amount at one lakh rupees, as his act is established as an offense (giving a bribe) under Section 3 (3) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059.