KATHMANDU: Mohan Bahadur Basnet, the mayor of Nagarjun Municipality, is facing charges of corruption and money laundering from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) in a case before the Special Court. The allegations focus on financial malfeasance and abuse of authority.
Mayor Basnet favored Padma Colony Pvt. Ltd., Padma Merchant Company, and Jagatguru Kripalu Pratisthan Nepal, therefore abusing his position to benefit himself and inflict financial losses for the state treasury, according to the CIAA. These actions have allegedly broken public trust and misused municipal resources.
According to the charging document, Padma Colony paid landowners only Rs 189.4 million for property valued at Rs 477.5 million, including taxes and registration fees. The company only paid a total of Rs 232.2 million, which sparked questions about possible irregularities in financial activities.
Allegedly, Mayor Basnet and his spouse, Urmila Basnet, benefited directly from these deals. They received a deposit of Rs 21.57 million into their accounts, according to the CIAA. The couple was also given land valued at Rs 68.2 million by Raju Prasad Kandel, director of Padma Colony, who also spent Rs 2.47 million for a wedding feast.
In its lawsuit against Mayor Basnet, his spouse, and Kandel, the CIAA is requesting Rs 92.25 million in damages for financial malfeasance. The state's claimed financial losses as a result of corrupt activities are reflected in these allegations.
The CIAA also accused the three of money laundering and demanded Rs 131.27 million in damages in a different petition. According to CIAA Spokesperson Narahari Ghimire, there is proof of financial irregularities and poor management to back up the claims.
These prosecutions, which constitute grave charges against Mayor Basnet and his supporters, illustrate the CIAA's commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability in public service. The Special Court will now consider the charges and supporting evidence.
