Speaking at a program organized by the CIAA at its premises on Wednesday to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, chief commissioner Karki said that the investigations initiated by the body against high-profile individuals will continue at all costs as the investigation was being carried out in line with the laws and the expectations of the public.
“I and the body are determined to work in line with the laws. We will not compromise with our investigation at any cost. I am ready to face any kind of challenges and consequences,” said he.
He said that the CIAA has just sought property details of the high-profile individuals. “What crime have we done by seeking property details with them?” added he.
The CIAA has started investigations against more than 40 individuals, including former and incumbent government ministers, lawmakers, as well as other high-ranking officials and individuals from various sectors, on suspicion that they have accumulated properties disproportionate to their known source of income through the abuse of authority.
Former ministers like Surendra Pandey, Rajendra Pandey, Bidya Dhar Malik, Ram Kumar Shrestha, Krishna Bahadur Mahara are under CIAA scrutiny.
Rejecting the allegations that he was targeting people based on his personal bias, Karki said that the commission has started investigations without any preconception and in line with the laws.
“We have summoned them with due respect, following necessary legal processes. We have not even made the names of those high-profile individuals, who are being investigated, public. We have no intention to undermine their prestige,” said Karki.
He also criticized the government authorities for not monitoring illicit activities of goverment officials even though strict monitoring could significantly discourage irregularities.
In the program, Karki also formally launched an android app “Fight Against Corruption.” Anyone can directly lodge complaint against any irregularities using the app.
Similarly, Chief Secretary Som Lal Subedi said that corruption in the government bodies was mushrooming as officials do what they should not do and do not do what they should do. “If officials perform their duty responsibly, they do not have to fear anyone,” added he.
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