CIAA files corruption case over misuse of Rajesh Hamal’s name by Achham local government

Kathmandu: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a case in the Special Court alleging corruption by a local government in Achham for misusing the name of actor Rajesh Hamal. It has been revealed that over Rs. 1.2 million was illegally paid using Hamal’s image under the pretext of producing a film.

The investigation found that Rs. 1.2 million was disbursed in the name of producing a documentary. The CIAA has registered the corruption case against Prakash Bahadur Saud, Chairman of Dhakari Rural Municipality, Acting Chief Administrative Officer Laxman Sah, and Accountant Bimal Saud. RJ Twenty Four News and Nav Indreni Foundation Chairman Ramji Lamsal (Ram Bahadur Lamsal) have also been named as defendants in the case.

According to the commission, a total budget of Rs. 1.5 million had been allocated to produce a film featuring Rajesh Hamal with his personal direction, but Rs. 1.2 million was paid improperly. The Authority found serious violations of the Public Procurement Act and Regulations in the process.

The investigation revealed that the purchase agreement was executed directly without competition, exceeding 35 percent of the legal limit, and payments were made without obtaining a bank guarantee. Authority spokesperson Suresh Neupane stated that the submitted bills for the film production were suspicious and likely fraudulent.

The CIAA asserts that the corruption was systematically carried out in collusion to embezzle government funds without executing any work. The rural municipality chairman, Prakash Bahadur Saud, is accused of misusing his position with malicious intent to benefit himself and the other defendants, and additional punishment has been demanded for him.