CIAA set to file corruption case against Sharma

Kathmandu / July 13:The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority on Thursday has decided to file a case against the suspended Director General of the Inland Revenue Department Chudamani Sharma including two others, on charges of embezzling revenue worth around Rs 11 billion.

The anti-graft body also decided to file case against Lumba Dhoj Mahat, a permanent resident of Hariaun VDC-9 in Sarlahi and Umesh Prasad Dhakal, a permanent resident of Palung VDC-5 in Makawanpur, who were the members of the Tax Settlement Commission, along with Sharma, formed by the government in 2015.

Though Sharma was arrested on June 2, 2017, Mahat and Dhakal have been absconding ever since they were directed to be present before the Commission. Consequently, the CIAA on June 22 declared an award for people informing the whereabouts of Mahat and Dhakal to the constitutional body.

The CIAA, after studying 45 files related to tax clearance, concluded that Rs 10.95 billion had been embezzled by the three persons. However, according to a CIAA high official, the embezzled amount might increase after the remaining files related to tax clearance are studied.

Preparations have been made to register the case at the Special Court on Friday, informed the official.The CIAA has been studying all aspects of the decision regarding tax clearance, according to the official. RSS