Minister Balaram Adhikari Denies Bribery Allegations, Calls Leaked Audio 'Character Assassination'

 Amid growing controversy, Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Balaram Adhikari, has firmly denied allegations of corruption linked to a leaked audio recording that purportedly implicates him in a Rs 3.2 million bribery scandal.

The recording, which surfaced online just days after the resignation of another cabinet minister over a similar scandal, allegedly features a conversation about a cash transaction involving Adhikari and his son, Manoj Adhikari. According to the 11-minute and 46-second audio, the bribe was accepted in a red or green bag at the minister’s official residence, in exchange for facilitating the registration of 135 ropanis of land in Pokhara under private ownership.

 Adhikari Rejects Allegations at Press Meet

At a press conference held to mark one year of achievements by his ministry, Minister Adhikari dismissed the allegations outright, calling the leaked clip a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation.

 “The language and voices in the audio are not related to us. Whether it contains my voice or not can be clearly judged,” Adhikari said, appearing visibly frustrated at what he described as "an orchestrated attack" on his character.

He further claimed the audio was released by individuals who failed to pressure him into transferring a land revenue officer. ""When I refused to meet their demands, this audio was circulated. This is political blackmail," he claimed.

Ties to Broader Scandal

The issue surrounding Minister Adhikari arises at a delicate time for the government. Just a day earlier, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Rajkumar Gupta, resigned after another audio recording was leaked. In that recording, he allegedly discussed a Rs 7.8 million bribe about land registration.

The timing of Adhikari’s audio leak has led many to wonder if there is a larger network of corruption within government ministries, especially regarding land deals and revenue offices.

Who Is Manoj Adhikari?

The leaked audio claims that the minister’s son, Manoj Adhikari, was directly involved in collecting the bribe for his father. So far, neither Manoj nor the Ministry has responded to questions about his involvement.

Opposition leaders, particularly Upendra Yadav of the Janata Samajbadi Party, have sharply criticized Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for failing to take action against Adhikari while swiftly forcing other ministers, such as Gupta, to resign. Yadav accused Oli of “clan-based favoritism” and shielding allies from accountability.

 Audio Still Unverified

As of now, the authenticity of the leaked audio has not been independently verified by forensic or law enforcement agencies. There is no confirmation from the Nepal Police or the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on whether a formal investigation has been launched.

However, civil society groups and opposition parties are urging the government to initiate an impartial inquiry and have warned that public trust in government institutions will continue to erode if such allegations are left uninvestigated.

Growing Political Pressure

Calls for Adhikari’s resignation are intensifying. Human rights organizations, journalists, and anti-corruption watchdogs have demanded transparency from the government. “This is not just about one minister — it’s about the system. If this goes unchecked, it sets a dangerous precedent,” said Renu Adhikari, a prominent advocate for governance reforms.