Corruption Verdict- In a landmark decision, the Special Court (SC) has sentenced Bikal Paudel, former Executive Director of the Security Printing Center, and Phal Shrestha, former Director of the Center, to eight years in prison each. They have also been fined Rs 34.22 million each for their involvement in a corruption case related to the printing of excise duty stickers.
The Verdict
The ruling was delivered on Thursday by a bench led by SC Chair Tek Narayan Kunwar, alongside Judges Khusi Prasad Tharu and Ritendra Thapa. The duo was convicted on October 30 after an exhaustive investigation into the misuse of funds earmarked for the excise sticker project.
Former Chief Secretary Acquitted
In a surprising turn, Baikuntha Aryal, the former Chief Secretary, was acquitted of all charges in the same case. This highlights a mixed outcome in the high-profile case, which involved several prominent officials.
Origins of the Case
The corruption charges surfaced following an investigation by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). On June 23, the CIAA filed cases against 12 individuals, alleging financial irregularities during the printing process of excise duty stickers.
Financial Penalties and Recovery
Beyond the prison terms and hefty fines, the court mandated the recovery of Rs 3.86 million from the accused. This decision emphasizes the judiciary’s commitment to recovering misappropriated public funds and addressing the financial damage caused by corruption.
Nepal’s Anti-Corruption Efforts
This case serves as a critical reminder of Nepal’s ongoing efforts to tackle corruption and hold public officials accountable for abusing their positions of power. The stringent penalties aim to send a strong message that such activities will not go unpunished.
