The police had known about the case after retailers complained against ´unfair charges´ imposed on them by the transport company. The transporter that ferried 20 baggages for different retailers forced them to pay Rs 12,000 per baggage on top of regular transportation fees, saying the amount was reimbursement for the bribe it paid to the revenue officials.[break]
“Some of the traders readily paid the amount and took away their consignments while others refused to pay the additional amount,” said one of the retailers, requesting anonymity.
Records show, a truck of ATC numbered NA 3 Kha 4882 that ferried the goods had left from Kathmandu to Biratnagar on September 21 and RIO Pathlaiya had detained it for five days suspecting possible revenue evasion.
The truck was ferrying textiles and readymade garments ordered by renowned garment outlets of Biratnagar, including Galaxy, Saket, In-Look, Ambe and Oasis. As the consignment was detained at a time when festive shopping picked up, the traders repeatedly inquired about the delay from the company.
“Its officials said IRO officials were inspecting the consignments and it will deliver them as soon as the office clears the goods,” said a garment trader. Finally, when he approached the company for delivery, it asked him to pay Rs 12,000 in addition to transportation fare, saying that it had to pay a huge sum in bribe to the revenue officials.
According to a source, In-Look that had ordered delivery of 6 baggages of goods took the consignment by paying Rs 30,000, paying additional Rs 6,000 for each baggage on Monday.
However, others refused to pay, saying they doubted ATC paid Rs 2.4 million to the revenue officials as it claimed. “It may have bribed with less money,” said a trader that refused to pay more to the company.
District Police Office (DPO), Morang, knew of the case when the news of dispute spread among the business community. “We sealed ATC´s warehouse as we suspect foul play on the part of the transporter,” said Pradhumna Karki, superintendent of police (SP), Morang.
When Chief District Officer of Morang Suresh Adhikari made telephonic inquiry about the case, RIO Pathlaiya informed him that it released the truck after slapping a fine of just Rs 5,000. “But proprietors of ATC said they paid additional money to revenue officials in Pathlaiya,” said Adhikari, adding that district administration will probe the case and punish the guilty.
ATC´s proprietors include Prakash Mundara, who is also a general secretary of Morang Trade Association, and Dilip Ghadewal.
Related story
Revenue Officer nabbed red-handed with bribe money
