Special court directs submission of argument notes in corruption case against former Chief Minister Dirgha Bahadur Sodari

Kathmandu: The Special Court has ordered the submission of argument notes in the corruption case filed against former Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Dirgha Bahadur Sodari.

On Monday, a bench comprising Special Court Chairman Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and members Hemanta Rawal and Dilli Ratna Shrestha directed both the prosecution and defense to submit their argument notes. Following the submission, the judges will conduct a final hearing after reviewing the evidence, legal arguments from both sides, and relevant legal provisions before delivering the verdict.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed the corruption case against Sodari, seeking a fine of Rs 1 crore 83 lakh 83 thousand 302.57. The case, lodged in the Special Court on June 19, alleges that Sodari amassed disproportionate assets during his tenure.

According to the Commission, Sodari illegally accumulated substantial wealth by abusing his official position while holding office from 2074 Magh 7 to 2079 Magh 10. Investigations revealed that his legitimate income, including salary, bank interest, agricultural earnings, and allowances for his wife and children, totaled Rs 8,551,334.92.

However, the Commission states that during the same period, Sodari’s expenditures—including land purchases, house construction, interior decoration, daughter’s education, son’s marriage, share investments, and election expenses—totaled Rs 19,389,637.49. The discrepancy indicates undisclosed assets amounting to Rs 18,383,302.57.

The charge sheet also seeks confiscation of properties and bank assets registered in the names of Sodari’s wife, Geeta Sodari, and son, Bobby Sodari, and requests that Sodari be found guilty, sentenced to imprisonment, and fined accordingly.