Corruption Case Filed Against Eight, Including Former Secretary of Madhesh Province

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed corruption charges against eight individuals, including Dr. Namrata Singh, the former Secretary of the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives of Madhesh Province.

According to CIAA spokesperson Narahari Ghimire, five individuals face charges involving Rs 10 million each, while three others are accused of corruption amounting to Rs 5 million each.

The accused include Secretary Singh, Shankar Prasad Sah, the then Chief of the Agricultural Knowledge Center Dhanusha, Agricultural Extension Officer Amar Chandra Mandal, Assistant Accountant Brajesh Kumar Sah, and Laxminarayan Yadav, Director and Chairman of Yubarani Fisheries and Agriculture Farm Pvt. Ltd.

Additionally, cases have been filed against Ranjit Kumar Adhikari, a former veterinarian with the ministry, Agricultural Extension Officer Abinash Kumar Jha, and Bikash Kumar Sah, the former Agricultural Economist of the Agricultural Development Directorate Dhanusha.

The charges stem from allegations of mismanagement and corruption in funds allocated for the Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Development Program during the fiscal year 2079/80. The CIAA stated that funds from the Food Security and Agribusiness Promotion Division of the Ministry were misappropriated based on fraudulent invoices and procurement practices that did not adhere to specified standards.

The CIAA launched an investigation after receiving complaints regarding irregularities in the payment process. The case underscores the ongoing effort to address corruption in provincial governance, particularly in critical sectors like agriculture and development.