Title: Nepal’s Mailamchi Scandal: Former Secretary Among Four Held, Ten Acquitted
Kathmandu, Nepal – In a significant development in the Mailamchi corruption scandal, former Secretary Gajendra Thakur and three others have been held guilty, while ten individuals have been acquitted. The Special Court, presided over by Chief Judge Tekanarayan Kuni, and judges Tejanaarayan Singh Rai and Murari Babu Shrestha, announced the verdict on Monday.
The court held Thakur, former Secretary Gajendra Thakur, Executive Director Ramchandra Devkota, and advisor Surya Raj Kandel, responsible for corruption. The court also ordered fines of 10 crore 61 lakh 75 rupees against Thakur and Kandel, 2 crore 95 lakh 603 rupees against Devkota and Sharmal, and 6 crore 21 lakh 93 rupees against Eptisa and Bets (BITES).
Italian construction company CMSC was also held guilty of corruption, with the court ordering a fine of 26 crore 11 lakh 691 rupees. The court has ordered punishment and alternative employment for the accused.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority filed charges against 15 individuals, including three former Secretaries, in the Special Court in February 2020, after allegations of corruption in the Mailamchi drinking water project. The Commission also made advisors and construction companies respondents in the case.
The current Board Chair of the Mailamchi Drinking Water Development Committee, Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Bhimprasad Upadhyay, and Mukunda Prasad Poudel, were among those acquitted by the court.
The Mailamchi drinking water project has been mired in controversy since its inception, with allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The court’s decision is expected to send a strong message against corruption and ensure accountability in public projects.
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