Himal Press 
Shailendra Prasad Sah
KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against seven individuals, including a former Madhesh province finance minister and the then mayor of Bagmati Municipality, over alleged corruption in the under-construction Bagmati Fun Park and Resort project in Sarlahi district.
According to the CIAA, its study concluded that the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) for the second phase of the project, approval of the cost estimate, bidding process, and setting of complicated criteria in the bid evaluation process to benefit a limited number of construction companies were carried out through collusion.
The anti-graft body has claimed that the alleged irregularities caused a loss of Rs 393.966 million to the state.
The CIAA alleged that structures that had not been deemed necessary in the original DPR for the first phase were included in the second phase, and a new DPR was prepared without sufficient study of the project’s necessity, risk analysis and financial returns. It also said that the criteria for evaluating bids were designed to limit competition and that conditions favorable to a construction company were included.
The CIAA has sought a fine equivalent to Rs 350 million each from then Madhesh Province Finance Minister Shailendra Prasad Sah and then Secretary Gajendra Kumar Thakur.
Similarly, it has sought a fine of Rs 393.9 million each from then Bagmati Municipality Mayor Bharat Kumar Thapa, Deputy Mayor Lila Kumari Muktan and Chief Administrative Officer Bimal Kumar Pokharel. The CIAA has sought a fine of Rs 200 million from then Undersecretary Uddhav Raj Neupane.
Likewise, BKOI-Dhulikhel JV and its authorized representative, Yubraj Pokharel, have been charged with assisting the main accused. The CIAA has sought punishment equivalent to that of the principal accused under the Corruption Prevention Act from Pokharel and the company.
