Case Filed Against Dr. Arjun Sapkota for Illegally Acquiring Over Rs 20.3 Million in Assets
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against Dr. Arjun Prasad Sapkota, former Senior Health Administrator at the Department of Health Services, for allegedly amassing Rs 20.3 million in illegal assets. The Commission has also named his wife, Niraja Pandit, as a defendant.
Kathmandu — The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court in Kathmandu against Dr. Arjun Prasad Sapkota, former Senior Health Administrator (10th level) at the Department of Health Services, on charges of illegally acquiring Rs 20.3 million (Rs 20,394,615) in assets.
According to the charge sheet filed by the CIAA on Friday, Dr. Sapkota is accused of acquiring assets beyond his legal income while in government service and failing to prove the source of such assets.
The Commission conducted an income-expenditure analysis of Dr. Sapkota from Magh 28, 2052 BS (February 11, 1996) to Jestha 30, 2080 BS (June 13, 2023). The investigation revealed that his legal income during that period was Rs 33,577,260, according to the CIAA.
However, during the same period, he spent and invested Rs 53,971,875 under various headings, as stated by the Commission. These headings include:
- Land purchase
- House construction
- Vehicle purchase
- Shares and insurance
- Foreign travel
- Education expenses
- Gold purchase
- Bank deposits
Thus, the CIAA claims that the expenditure and investment exceeded his legal income by Rs 20,394,615, and since the source of this amount could not be verified, it is claimed to be illegally acquired property.
The Commission has demanded a fine equivalent to the bribe amount, imprisonment, and confiscation of the illegally acquired property against Dr. Sapkota. Additionally, it has sought further punishment for hiding actual assets and submitting false details in his property declaration.
The CIAA has also named Dr. Sapkota's wife, Niraja Pandit, as a defendant. According to the Commission, she has been made a defendant for the purpose of confiscating unexplained assets held in her name.