KATHMANDU, April 21:  The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has decided to file a corruption case against Sunil Paudel, the suspended managing director of Nepal Telecom, on the charge of illegal wealth acquisition.                                 

The   decision comes following observations of irregularities on earnings compared to reported income, leading the CIAA to conclude that there is sufficient evidence to support allegations of illegal wealth acquisition. Paudel was initially arrested on January 24 and detained for investigation based on complaints regarding the illegal acquisition of property.

According to a high-ranking source at the CIAA, Bikal Paudel and Sunil Paudel were arrested by the CIAA after they did not appear when they were called for recording their statements in connection with investigations into illegal wealth acquisition. Last Friday, the CIAA requested an extension of  the investigation period by 21 days from the Special Court stating the need  for additional time to gather evidence.

This is the second corruption case initiated against Sunil Paudel by the CIAA. He was found guilty by a Special Court on Friday in the procurement of the National Payment Gateway System. The Special Court has scheduled a hearing for May 7.