KATHMANDU, Feb 24: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has started investigation into the erstwhile communications minister Gokul Baskota’s alleged involvement in a multi-million rupee bribery scandal.
The anti-graft body said it has received many complaints demanding investigation into several government officials following the leak last week of an audiotape in which Gokul Baskota is heard demanding Rs 700 million commission from an agent of a Swiss supplier of security press. Baskota resigned on Thursday after the audiotape was leaked to the media.
CIAA starts probe after suspicion of corruption in Kalanki-Balk...
Officials at the anti-corruption agency said the complainants have demanded a fair investigation into the involvement of Baskota, Prime Minister KP Oli and other officials involved in the bribery scandal involving procurement of security press.
“We have registered all those complaints and started investigations,” said CIAA spokesman Pradeep Kumar Koirala.
On Sunday, Prem Bahadur Shahi of Banke and Ananda Ram Paudel of Hetauda filed complaints at the CIAA demanding that the prime minister also be booked for his failure to take action against Baskota even after knowing about the bargaining several weeks ago.
The anti-graft body, which often arrests the bribery-accused after launching investigations, has not yet arrested Baskota.
Currently, Baskota is living in the private residence of Prime Minister Oli at Balkot in Bhaktapur.
