Corruption case filed against former Health Minister Mohan Basnet and 16 others

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu – The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against former Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Mohan Basnet, along with 16 others. The case was filed at the Special Court on Thursday, citing irregularities in the procurement process of Teramacs.

According to the commission, Basnet exceeded his ministerial jurisdiction by making unilateral decisions. Based on these decisions, officials from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) are accused of acting in collusion and violating legal procedures.

Among those charged are former NTA Chairman Digambar Jha, members Dhanaraj Gyawali and Tika Prasad Upreti, current Chairman Purushottam Khanal, Director Vijay Kumar Ray, Deputy Directors Rewati Ram Panth, Suresh Basnet, Hiranya Prasad Bastakoti, Achyutananda Mishra, Surendralal Hada, Sandeep Adhikari, Dipesh Acharya, consultants Jamal Anouti, agents Dilip Kumar Gurung, and Tej Prasad Kharel.

They are accused of causing financial damage to the state exceeding NPR 3.21 billion (approximately USD 24 million). The CIAA claims that a false report was prepared in favor of an ineligible bidder, a Supreme Court order was disregarded, and legal procedures were not followed, leading to damage to government property.