Suspended Nepal Telecom MD Sunil Poudel's Illegal Property Case Hearing Begins

Kathmandu. Hearing has started in the corruption case related to illegal property acquisition against suspended Nepal Telecom Managing Director Sunil Poudel. The hearing has started in the bench of Special Court Chairman Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and Judges Hemant Rawal and Dilliratra Shrestha.

On Baisakh 9, 2081, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a case against Poudel demanding a claim of 23 crore 75 lakh 46 thousand rupees for illegally acquiring property while in public office. The CIAA had also filed a case demanding forfeiture of property against Sunil's elder brother Anil Poudel.

The CIAA has determined that Poudel earned 1 crore 19 lakh 24 thousand 8 hundred 46 from salary, allowances, shares, etc., while in office. Similarly, the CIAA has mentioned that expenses and investments of 24 crore 94 lakh 71 thousand 171 were observed. According to income and expenses, Poudel's expenses and assets worth 23 crore 75 lakh 46 thousand 3 hundred 24 rupees appeared to be illegal, the CIAA stated.

Poudel entered service on contract as an administrative officer at the National Information Technology Center on Jestha 20, 2061. He was in that position until Ashad 28, 2062. Later, Poudel, re-appointed on contract on Ashad 12, 2065, remained in public office continuously thereafter.

From there, he was appointed as the Managing Director of Nepal Telecom on Chaitra 24, 2078. The CIAA investigated the property acquired by Poudel from his entry into government service in 2061 until Falgun 30, 2079.