Corruption Charges Filed Against Mayor and 10 Others in Rukum West Over Cooperative Grant Misappropriation

The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has initiated a significant legal action by filing a corruption case against Mayor Ravi KC of Aathbiskot Municipality, Rukum West, and ten other individuals. The charges, formally lodged with the Special Court in Kathmandu on Monday, stem from extensive irregularities identified in the disbursement and utilization of government grants allocated to the Aathbiskot Dairy Cooperative. This development underscores the government's commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability in public expenditure, particularly at the local governance level.

According to the CIAA's detailed charge sheet, a substantial amount of public funds was allegedly misappropriated and misused for personal gain, rather than serving the intended community development objectives. The Aathbiskot Dairy Cooperative, located in Ward No. 9 of Aathbiskot Municipality, received two significant grants from the municipality. These included NPR 9,117,873 earmarked for the construction of a chilling center, a crucial infrastructure for dairy product preservation, and an additional NPR 8,023,051 designated for the purchase of vehicles to support the cooperative's operations and logistics. The total sum of these grants, exceeding NPR 17 million, was intended to bolster the local agricultural economy and empower dairy farmers within the community.

However, a thorough investigation conducted by the anti-graft body revealed a stark discrepancy between the stated purpose of the grants and their actual implementation. Despite the passage of two years since the funds were disbursed, the dairy cooperative has reportedly failed to become operational. Furthermore, the government vehicles procured with the grant money were found to be used for personal errands by individuals involved, subsequently left in a state of disuse, effectively rendering them unproductive assets rather than tools for community benefit. The CIAA's findings indicate a deliberate disregard for established procedures, with grants being released to an institution that reportedly did not meet the necessary qualifications, suggesting a clear intent to misuse public resources and bypass due diligence processes.

The list of individuals implicated in this high-profile case extends beyond the Mayor. Among the accused from the municipal administration are Maniraj Shah, the then Chief Administrative Officer; Suwarna Singh Thakuri and Gyanu Kumar Sharma, who served as acting heads of the Animal Hospital and Livestock Service Office; Sher Bahadur Khadka, the Livestock Service Officer; Yam Bahadur Pun, the Accounts Officer; and Min Bahadur KC, the Agriculture Officer. These officials are alleged to have facilitated the misuse of public funds by preparing erroneous reports and failing to conduct objective field evaluations, thereby circumventing due diligence processes and enabling the misappropriation.

In addition to the municipal staff, key officials of the Aathbiskot Dairy Cooperative are also facing charges. These include Chairman Janak Batala, Vice Chairman Bir Bahadur Rokaya, Secretary Govinda Prakash Khadka, and Treasurer Jun Kumari Chanel. They are accused of direct involvement in the embezzlement and misuse of the government grants, failing in their fiduciary duties to manage the cooperative's assets responsibly and transparently, and ultimately depriving the community of the intended benefits.

The CIAA has invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059, in its legal pursuit. The commission is seeking not only the recovery of the embezzled funds but also demands significant fines and imprisonment for all the accused individuals. According to CIAA spokesperson Suresh Neupane, the state has incurred substantial financial losses due to these alleged corrupt practices, and the commission is pushing for stringent penalties to serve as a deterrent against future acts of corruption. This case highlights the critical need for robust oversight mechanisms and transparent governance in the allocation and utilization of public funds, particularly those intended for grassroots development initiatives through cooperatives. The outcome of this case will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for accountability in local governance and cooperative management across Nepal, reinforcing public trust in institutions.