Banking News – Nepal’s Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against Bijay Kumar Yadav, the former Ward Chair of Ward No. 5 of Videha Municipality, Dhanusha, for allegedly misusing an ambulance donated by the Government of India and causing loss to public property.

According to the CIAA, the ambulance was handed over on October 14, 2020, under an agreement with the Embassy of India in Nepal, with the objective of providing free ambulance services to local residents. However, investigators found that Yadav failed to register the ambulance as municipal property and instead kept it under his personal control, operating it as if it were a private vehicle.

The investigation revealed that no official logbook, fuel records, service records, or financial accounts related to the ambulance’s operation were maintained. The CIAA further alleged that income generated from the ambulance service was not deposited into the local government’s account but was instead used for personal benefit.

Authorities stated that the ambulance was operated for 30,185 kilometers over a period of three years and five months. Based on the ambulance service rates set by the Nepal Red Cross Society, Dhanusha, the CIAA estimated that public property worth Rs. 1,509,250 was misappropriated or caused financial loss.

During the investigation, Yadav deposited Rs. 381,597 in an apparent attempt to avoid legal action. However, the CIAA stated that Rs. 1,127,653 remains recoverable.

The anti-graft body has sought recovery of the remaining amount, along with a fine equivalent to the loss and imprisonment under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002, by filing a formal charge sheet before the Special Court, Kathmandu, according to CIAA spokesperson Suresh Nyaupane.