Corruption case against 18 people and nine companies

Kathmandu: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against 18 people, including former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Pashupati Murarka, alleging corruption in the cement industries.

Authorities have also filed lawsuits against the nine companies. A corruption case has been filed against them, claiming that they have caused a loss of Rs 1.26 billion to the state exchequer.

CIAA has filed a case against Director General of the Department of Mines and Geology Ram Prasad Ghimire, Mining Engineer Jayaram Ghimire, Deputy Law Secretary Sapana Adhikari, Deputy Advocate Chandra Kumar Pokhrel, Engineers Prashant Bohora, Dharmaraj Khadka, Accounts Officer Shribhadra Gautam, Research Officer Basanta Adhikari, Geologist Dr. Saunak Bhandari.

A corruption case has also been filed against
Bishnu Prasad Neupane, Managing Director of Sarvottam Cement, Pashupati Murarka of Siddhartha Minerals Pvt. ltd, Sharad Goyal of Maruti Cement ltd, Rishi Agrawal of Annapurna Quarries, Prabal Jung Pandey of Udayapur Minerals, Naresh Dugad of United Cement, Nipesh Tayal of Sonapur Minerals, Bhim Bahadur Thapa Chhetri of Kanchan Quarries and Manbahadur Shrestha of Dolomite Chundhunga Udyog Pvt ltd.

The operators of these industries are accused of exploiting natural resources and leaking revenue by excavating limestone outside the area mentioned in the permit.