KATHMANDU, June 7: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against six individuals, including long-time government employee and journalist Tika Prasad Bhatta, for illegally receiving dual and triple benefits amounting to over Rs 11.5 million.
Bhatt, who served as a non-gazetted first class officer (Nayab Subba) at the Manthali Urban Development Committee in Ramechhap, is accused of simultaneously holding multiple roles and unlawfully obtaining government benefits. According to the CIAA, while working as a government employee, Bhatt also functioned as a journalist, cooperative operator, and advertising agency manager, violating legal provisions that bar public employees from engaging in parallel professions without authorization.
Nayab Subba held red-handed with bribe
He is accused of being promoted from Kharidar (assistant) to Nayab Subba without following due process and receiving illegal grade-related benefits equivalent to permanent staff status. CIAA’s investigation found that Bhatta had been drawing a regular salary and facilities from Kantipur Publications since 1996, where he held various positions before obtaining permanent status in 2010.
During the probe, it was discovered that Bhatt used his position to secure travel and meeting allowances under the guise of a journalist, concealed his real identity to pressure offices, and collected commissions through advertising deals that were not deposited into government accounts. He is also charged with working as an insurance agent and receiving payouts from Citizen Life Insurance.
The CIAA has filed charges at the Special Court against Bhatta and five others for abuse of authority, causing financial harm to the government, and engaging in unauthorized business activities. The other accused are Amar Bahadur Thapa (then head of the Urban and Building Construction Project, Ramechhap), Narayan Prasad Bhandari, Suresh Kumar Wagle, Yam Lal Belbase (then accounts chief), and Suresh Prasad Dahal.
CIAA Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Rajendra Paudel confirmed the case, stating that Bhatt alone is accused of receiving illegal benefits worth Rs 11,504,111.