Sah and Yadav were in police custody on the charge of misusing their diplomatic passports. Police had arrested them on charges of tampering with and misusing their passports nearly three weeks ago. [break]
"We will file corruption case against them invoking the Corruption Control Act," said, CIAA Secretary Bhagwati Kafle, adding, "Police arrested as per our request." CIAA had asked police in writing to arrest and hand over the two to the commission in case they are released on bail.
Police had filed charge sheet against Sah and Yadav as per Passport Act 2024 BS. As per the act, the lawmakers have to serve a one-year jail term or a fine of Rs 500 or both if the charges against them are proved. If convicted, the two lawmakers would also lose their posts.
Secretary Kafle said they will file case against them on charges of misusing public position under the Corruption Control Act. As per the provisions of the act, Sah and Yadav will have to face three years of additional jail term since they are holding top pubic position.
"If we are able to find out the total sum involved in the passport scam, that sum will be confiscated and an equal amount fined," An investigating officer of the CIAA said.
According to Kafle, they are investigating into Sah and Yadav before a police probe begins.
"We provided information to the police and they hastily arrested the two and brought a weak case," said CIAA source, adding, "The case to be filed by the CIAA will be more hard hitting than that filed by the police."
Investigations carried out by CIAA and police show that Prithivi Chhantyal and Sita Shah were deported to Nepal from Abu Dhabi on January 18 for possessing tampered diplomatic passports belonging to Yadav and Sah, respectively.
Chhantyal and Shah were deported from Abu Dhabi on their way to Australia. Etihad Airways had handed them over to the immigration office at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
The immigration officers however didn´t inform the police or the CIAA about the deportation and instead hid the information.
The CIAA source told Republica the immigration officers involved too will face corruption charge.
Chhantyal during interrogation by immigration officials in Abu Dhabi had confessed that he paid Rs 1.6 million for the passport.
Sah, who was elected to the CA from Nepali Janata Dal, and Yadav from Madhesi People´s Right Forum (MPRF). Both were known to have attempted in several ways to evade investigations.
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