CIAA files corruption charges against 8 in Rukum school fund embezzlement case

Kathmandu. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case at the Special Court on Wednesday against eight individuals, including the former principal and accountant of Shree Tribhuvan Janata Secondary School in Musikot Municipality, West Rukum, over allegations of financial irregularities.

Following an investigation into complaints of fund embezzlement, the CIAA found that payments were made for technology-friendly classroom equipment during the fiscal year 2078-079 without the items ever being supplied to the school. According to the CIAA, 488,811 rupees and 24 paisa were paid for goods that were never purchased.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed that an additional 220,000 rupees were embezzled by creating fake bills and receipts for IT training that was never conducted.

Similarly, it was found that 54,881 rupees and 59 paisa in internal school revenue and student fees were not deposited into the bank, and 312,061 rupees and 15 paisa were withdrawn from the school account for personal use under the guise of clearing audit arrears without any supporting vouchers or legitimate purpose.

The CIAA has determined a total corruption amount of 1,075,753 rupees and 98 paisa and has demanded recovery of the same along with penalties.

Those charged include former principal Hari Prasad Khanal and accountant Thak Bahadur Budhathoki, who face demands for imprisonment and fines equivalent to the total embezzled amount. Office assistants Rama Shah and Gauri Rawat K.C. have also been charged for their involvement in the 488,811 rupees and 24 paisa equipment procurement fraud.

Additionally, former School Management Committee Chairman Khemraj Khadka, Musikot Municipality Branch Officer Binaram Khadka, and IT Officer Gopal Oli have been charged for their alleged involvement in the corruption.

Shiv Prasad Shrestha, proprietor of Digital Computer and Electronics World in Dang, has also been charged as an accomplice, with a claim of 708,811 rupees and 24 paisa.

CIAA spokesperson Suresh Neupane stated that the charge sheet was filed at the Special Court demanding maximum punishment and recovery of funds under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059.