KATHMANDU, Sept 13: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a case at the Special Court on Thursday against Saroj Bhattarai, the former planning chief of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), and another individual. They have been charged with accepting bribes, engaging in corruption, and offenses under money laundering.

When Bhattarai purchased plot number 1374 (area 2 ropanis 9 annas 1 daam) and plot number 1375, (area 2 annas one paisa located in District Bhaktapur Gundu-3) in the name of his mother Janak Nandani Bhattarai, he used other persons from construction companies working in Lumbini Development Trust to give money to the land seller. Based on the complaint that the payment was made, the authority came to the conclusion of filing a case after investigation.

The charge-sheet states that Saroj Bhattarai purchased two plots of land, with a total area of 2 ropanis 9 aanas 1 dam and 2 aanas 1 paisa, in the name of his mother, located in the former Gundu-3 (now Suryabinayak Municipality-7), Bhaktapur. He is accused of investing Rs 18.5 million in the land with the intent to conceal the source of his wealth, thus committing an offense under money laundering.

The charge-sheet confirms that Bhattarai arranged to receive a bribe of Rs 10.5 million through funds deposited into various accounts from Khani Arghakhanchi-Babul JV, Lumbini Arghakhanchi-Babul JV, and Arghakhanchi-Babul JV. Based on this, he has been charged under Section 3 (1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002, with a claim of Rs 10.5 million in compensation. The charge-sheet also demands imprisonment and fines according to the same section of the act.

Additionally, the charge sheet requests the confiscation of the land registered in the name of Bhattarai's mother, Janak Nandani Bhattarai, located in Gundu-3, Bhaktapur, with plot numbers 1374 and 1375, measuring 2 ropanis 9 aanas 1 dam and 2 paisas.

 
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