In the recorded telephone conversation submitted to Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) by one Khadga Bahadur Shahi, who took the initiative to press government to provide compensation Mugu locals for their land by Rara National Park some 35 years ago, Mehta has asked his aide Yadav to demand Rs 3,500 each from the 77 victim families. [break]
In one of the 11 recorded files of the conversation between Yadav and Shahi, Yadav tells Shahi that the minister has asked him to collect the bribe before forwarding the file regarding compensation.
When conveyed that the local people cannot afford it, but would be ready to part away with a portion of the compensation, Yadav is heard saying, “Since I have already briefed the minister he won´t approve the file without getting the amount.”
The recorded conversation obtained by Republica reveals Yadav of repeatedly calling Shahi warning him that the minister would return the file for review. Arguing that the file was endorsed by a former secretary, Yadav is also heard telling Shahi that the victims will have to pay bribe to the new secretary as well.
In another record, Shahi is heard asking Yadav to allow him to talk to the state minister, but Yadav refuses. “Why would a minister keep personal assistant? If you go directly to him, I am sure your work won´t be done,” Yadav is heard as saying.
When Shahi assures to meet him only after collecting the demanded amount, Yadav himself calls Shahi. Yadav is even heard asking Shahi to come to his rented apartment at Pepsicola when the latter says he just managed to collect Rs 150,000.
But as Shahi did not show up, Yadav is found to have made seventh, eighth and ninth calls, asking Shahi to come as early as possible with the money. He mentions that the minister was visiting Nepalgunj to attend a marriage ceremony and there would be many holidays. “I just came back from the district. Will you come today?” Yadav is heard asking in the tenth recorded conversation.
Even this time Shahi does not visit Yadav saying he had not collected the amount demanded. Yadav then claims that he had stopped the minister from returning the file. “Do call me once you arrange the money. I will come to collect the money,” Yadav in the eleventh recorded conversation is heard as saying.
KATHMANDU, March 3: A recorded telephonic conversation between State Minister for Forests and Soil conservation Laxman Mehta and his personal secretary Nagendra Yadav indicates Mehta may have directed Yadav to demand bribe from the people of Mugu.
In the recorded telephone conversation submitted to Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) by one Khadga Bahadur Shahi, who took the initiative to press government to provide compensation Mugu locals for their land by Rara National Park some 35 years ago, Mehta has asked his aide Yadav to demand Rs 3,500 each from the 77 victim families. [break]
In one of the 11 recorded files of the conversation between Yadav and Shahi, Yadav tells Shahi that the minister has asked him to collect the bribe before forwarding the file regarding compensation.
When conveyed that the local people cannot afford it, but would be ready to part away with a portion of the compensation, Yadav is heard saying, “Since I have already briefed the minister he won´t approve the file without getting the amount.”
The recorded conversation obtained by Republica reveals Yadav of repeatedly calling Shahi warning him that the minister would return the file for review. Arguing that the file was endorsed by a former secretary, Yadav is also heard telling Shahi that the victims will have to pay bribe to the new secretary as well.
In another record, Shahi is heard asking Yadav to allow him to talk to the state minister, but Yadav refuses. “Why would a minister keep personal assistant? If you go directly to him, I am sure your work won´t be done,” Yadav is heard as saying.
When Shahi assures to meet him only after collecting the demanded amount, Yadav himself calls Shahi. Yadav is even heard asking Shahi to come to his rented apartment at Pepsicola when the latter says he just managed to collect Rs 150,000.
But as Shahi did not show up, Yadav is found to have made seventh, eighth and ninth calls, asking Shahi to come as early as possible with the money. He mentions that the minister was visiting Nepalgunj to attend a marriage ceremony and there would be many holidays. “I just came back from the district. Will you come today?” Yadav is heard asking in the tenth recorded conversation.
Even this time Shahi does not visit Yadav saying he had not collected the amount demanded. Yadav then claims that he had stopped the minister from returning the file. “Do call me once you arrange the money. I will come to collect the money,” Yadav in the eleventh recorded conversation is heard as saying.
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