Nepal's anti-graft body files graft case against ex-MD of oil PSU

Nepal's anti-graft body on Monday filed a case, what it said to be one of the biggest corruption case, against the former Managing Director of the country's oil distribution company for allegedly possessing property worth Rs 18.66 crore beyond the known sources of income, according to media reports.

The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a case at the special court against former Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) Managing Director Gopal Khadka on charge of amassing illegal property, the Kathmandu Post reported.

It is one of the largest corruption case ever filed by the anti-graft body related to possessing property, worth Rs 18.66 crore, beyond the know sources of income in the country, CIAA spokesperson Rameshwor Dangal was quoted as saying in the Post.

The CIAA has also been conducting a separate probe into Khadka's involvement in alleged corruption in purchase of land by the NOC, he said.

Earlier, probes by previous parliamentary committees had found irregularity of about Rs 126 crore in the land purchased by the state-owned oil company.

According to the CIAA, Khadka not only amassed illegal properties but was also found to have bought property worth Rs 7 crore in the name of other people.

The CIAA, in its charge sheets, demanded the court to seize the assets which he had transferred in the name of his relatives and near ones, the Republica reported.

The anti-graft body had also confiscated a cheque of Rs 89.8 lakh which was paid as advance for purchase of the land by Khadka in Budhanilkantha in Kathmandu, the report said.