Banking News – Nepal’s Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against Dr. Ram Pavitra Das, Chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center, Rajbiraj, Saptari, and Bhogendra Yadav, a light vehicle driver at the same office, on charges of accepting bribes.

According to the CIAA, the investigation was launched following a complaint alleging that the two officials demanded a 20 percent commission from payments due to vaccinators for services they had provided.

A CIAA team from its Itahari Office apprehended the accused while they were allegedly receiving the bribe.

During the investigation, the anti-graft body found that Dr. Das demanded money from vaccinators in exchange for releasing the remuneration they were legally entitled to receive after completing vaccination programs under his official responsibility.

The CIAA stated that Dr. Das, in collusion with driver Bhogendra Yadav, compelled vaccinators to pay at least 20 percent of their payment as a bribe, and the investigation confirmed that they received Rs. 132,000 in illegal gratification.

The commission concluded that the act constitutes an offense under Section 3(1)(g) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002 (2059 BS) and has sought recovery of the Rs. 132,000 involved in the case.

The CIAA has filed a charge sheet at the Special Court in Kathmandu, seeking imprisonment and a fine equivalent to the amount of the bribe, in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.