KATHMANDU: Police from Biratnagar arrested Anil Kumar Pokharel, the former personal secretary of Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Rishikesh Pokharel, on Thursday morning. He is accused of defrauding someone by reportedly offering to pay Rs 3.88 million to get an applicant admitted to an MBBS entrance exam.
The head of the District Police Office in Morang, Superintendent of Police Narayan Chimoriya, claims that the victim, Bauwalal Chaudhary from Saptari, gave the money to Anil in order to gain admission. In the Agnisair Krishna Sawaran Municipality, Chaudhary resides in Ward 5.
The Morang District Court had previously authorized Anil's arrest. After the case was made public on January 3, Rishikesh Pokharel dismissed Anil from his position as personal secretary. This firing resulted from legal concerns regarding Anil's purported actions.
Chaudhary's complaint was first denied by the Rangeli Area Police Office and the Morang District Police Office. Additionally, the District Government Attorney's Office had refused to give the police orders. At the time, Anil allegedly utilized his political contacts to thwart judicial proceedings.
Anil is a member of the CPN-UML, which is in power in Morang, and was earlier suggested as a candidate for the provincial assembly elections in 2022. Prior to Pokharel taking over as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in August of last year, he had been Rishikesh Pokharel's personal secretary.
With Anil's arrest now drawing attention to the alleged fraudulent activities, the case has sparked discussions regarding the role that political influence might play in impeding justice. As authorities look into the entire scope of the charges, the judicial procedure will continue.
