KATHMANDU, Dec 9: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Monday filed a case against Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA) Chairman Surya Prasad Silwal at the Special Court over discrepancies in date of birth.
The CIAA filed the case stating that Silwal received undue benefits by reducing his age by three years. The charge sheet mentions that Silwal’s date of birth in his citizenship certificate is three years less than his actual date of birth. Silwal is alleged to have repeatedly changed his birth date in his citizenship and passport through fraudulent means.
Silwal, whose birth date was originally mentioned as July 30, 1958, changed his date of birth twice, the CIAA’s investigation found. The CIAA said that his date of birth was mentioned as July 30, 1958 in the diploma level transcript issued by Tribhuvan University as well as his seat roll while joining the civil service. However, his diplomatic passport mentions his birth date as November 9, 1961. Surprisingly, his citizenship submitted for appointment as the chairman of the NIA mentions his birth date as November 8, 1959.
The CIAA has mentioned in its charge sheet that Silwal benefited from diplomatic and special passport privileges by providing false information. The individual, despite being ineligible, is still holding the position of chairman of the NIA. The CIAA accused Silwal of misusing the authority and privileges that cannot be exercised in the capacity of chairman, and received benefits based on false statements and claims.
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The CIAA has demanded before the court to confiscate/recover the amount of Rs 3.66 million in benefits and allowances taken by Silwal since July 31, 2023 in accordance with the Prevention of Corruption Act and Asset (Money) Laundering Prevention Act.
According to the CIAA, Silwal submitted his citizenship certificate with the date of birth as November 8, 1959 to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to be appointed as the chairman of the NIA.
The CIAA filed the case just as Silwal’s term was about to end, while he was preparing to issue new licenses to four insurance companies. His tenure is supposed to last until January 31. He however is automatically suspended after the CIAA filed the case.
Earlier, the CIAA had also received complaints against Silwal for allegedly being involved in taking undue benefits to favor insurance companies while allowing them permits for issuing initial public offerings (IPOs) at premium prices. The complaints filed at the anti-graft body stated that the NIA’s high ranking officials including Silwal misused their authority in favor of Citizens Life Insurance, Sun Life Insurance Nepal, IME Life Insurance Company and Reliable Nepal Life Insurance Company.
Silwal was dragged into controversies after he enforced policies to take insurance companies into merger. Likewise, he also faced criticism while issuing licenses to Himalayan Reinsurance Limited and seven new micro insurers.
Silwal has also been alleged for favouring particular insurers as he implemented capital increment plans for insurers. Recently, Silwal has been criticized for not taking action against a number of insurance companies that breached provisions of the Insurance Act, 2022 as they reappointed the same person in position of chief executive officers for a long time period.
He was appointed as the chairman of the NIA on February 2, 2021. Prior to that, he had spent 30 years in civil service. Silwal, who entered the civil service as a section officer on July 30, 1986, and retired on July 30, 2016. He had also served as the home secretary.
