NSC seeks clarification from CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand over serious allegations

Kathmandu: Serious allegations, including abuse of office, have been leveled against Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) President Chatur Bahadur Chand, prompting the National Sports Council (NSC) to seek a formal response within five days.

The NSC has issued a directive to CAN, instructing the association to submit its opinion/response along with certified documents within the stipulated timeframe, following multiple complaints filed against President Chand.

A complaint was registered at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority on April 16, 2006. Subsequently, on April 29, the Commission forwarded a letter regarding the matter to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Acting on this, the ministry, on April 31, instructed the NSC to obtain a response within 10 days.

The ministry’s communication raised concerns over several issues, including alleged misuse of public funds by the CAN president and treasurer, irregularities related to the World Cup tour to the United States, misuse of the employee recruitment process, improper use of disability allowances, and discrepancies in the annual general meeting, as well as the distribution of World Cup jerseys and tickets.

Following this, the NSC, last Thursday, formally wrote to CAN, urging it to assess the seriousness of the complaints and provide a point-by-point factual response along with certified supporting documents to ensure transparency and prevent any alterations at a later stage.

According to the NSC’s letter, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, through its correspondence dated 2083/01/31, forwarded the complaint registered at the Commission (U.D. No. 8-060851 dated 2083/01/16), along with the Commission’s letter dated 2083/01/29. The ministry directed that the matter be investigated without delay and that a detailed response, along with relevant documents, be submitted within 10 days.

In compliance with a decision made at the Member Secretary level on 2083/02/07, the NSC has asked CAN to submit a detailed response within five days of receiving the letter, addressing each issue raised in the complaint.

The allegations outlined in the complaint include:

The purchase of a private vehicle using funds collected from various sources, including CAN, which was then leased back to CAN, with operational expenses such as fuel and driver costs borne by the association. Additionally, despite having access to the vehicle, the president is accused of frequently traveling by air and claiming travel allowances (TADA) from CAN.

Claims that expenses incurred at a relative’s Carnival Restaurant in Anamnagar, Kathmandu, including meals and refreshments, were billed to CAN, along with allegations of financial irregularities such as inflated payments for flex materials, unauthorized collections from suppliers, and misuse of petty cash through exaggerated billing.

Concerns over frequent foreign visits by the president, during which substantial allowances were allegedly claimed, including instances where Treasurer Padam Bahadur Khadka accompanied him, thereby increasing organizational expenses.

Allegations related to the World Cup trip to the United States, including claims that the president and treasurer took their spouses at CAN’s expense, misused visa provisions, and determined personal allowances independently after returning. The complaint also references actions reportedly confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Council of Ministers.

Accusations of organizing fundraising programs in various hotels for World Cup-related expenses, coupled with alleged irregularities in the distribution and accounting of jerseys and tickets, and failure to deposit related income into CAN’s accounts.

Claims that individuals unrelated to cricket, including Deepak Bista, were taken to the World Cup at CAN’s expense, leading to misuse of funds.

Allegations of favoritism in appointments, with individuals from the president’s own district reportedly नियुक्तed to key roles in accounting, administration, and ground management without proper qualifications. It also raises concerns about political involvement by staff and arbitrary appointments of team managers and officials, increasing financial burden on the organization.

Issues related to the participation of individuals outside CAN’s statute in meetings to meet quorum requirements and inflate expenses.

Accusations that the president falsely claimed disability status to receive a government pension, misuse of visas and tickets for unrelated individuals, and disproportionately high personal expenses compared to district branches. It also references visa and ticket arrangements for NCP member secretary Tankalal Ghising.

The complaint further calls for a response regarding demands and requests mentioned in point no. 8, as well as explanations on broader concerns including financial activities, international participation, entry passes, tender processes, misuse of advertising, audit irregularities, favoritism, and procedural violations in appointments.

The NSC has instructed CAN to submit clear, factual responses along with certified documents addressing all allegations within the given deadline.