KATHMANDU, April 19: Suspended Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari has said that he was victimized for not obeying the order of Finance Minister Janardan Sharma to release the money that has been put on hold by the central bank on suspicion of money laundering.
In a writ filed at the Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday, NRB Governor Adhikari blamed Minister Adhikari for his undue intervention in the functioning of the autonomous body. Minister Sharma has been accused of backing Prithvi Bahadur Shah, a resident of Achham, who is under scrutiny of the central bank and the Department of Money Laundering Investigation for bringing millions of US dollars in the bank account in a suspicious manner.
NRB Governor was suspended to cover up FinMin Sharma’s incompet...
NRB Governor Adhikari’s statements come at a time when Minister Sharma himself has been alleging that NRB officials were demanding USD 30,000 to clear Shah’s suspicious money. The government suspended NRB governor Adhikari on April 8.
Minister Sharma has alleged that Adhikari was involved in leaking sensitive information to the media. Sharma has also put into question the role of Adhikari in assisting the government when the country is facing critical problems in its external macroeconomic indicators.
Adhikari, on the other hand, has sought the apex court’s order to dissolve a committee designated to investigate him. In the writ petition, Adhikari has stated that Minister Sharma had deliberately taken the move to fulfill his vested interests. The SC is conducting hearing on a writ petition filed by Adhikari from Tuesday.
The government’s move against NRB Governor Adhikari has courted criticisms from various fronts. The International Monetary Fund has also expressed its concern over the government’s attempt to oust Adhikari from his position.
