Bribery case against TIA Customs Chief‚ others

KATHMANDU:

The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Sunday filed a corruption case at the Special Court against two officials of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Customs Office including its acting Chief and two customs agents.

They were booked for receiving bribe from Indian national Abhishek Sarkar, who has been imprisoned for his involvement in gold smuggling.

TIA Customs acting Chief Sudip Chandra Shah and Nayab Subba Haribansha Karki were charge-sheeted for receiving bribe from the jailbird assuring him of 'settlement' of the case.

They were arrested by the anti-corruption constitutional body in November.

Likewise, the defendants also include customs agent duo Devraj Bhattarai and Prem Kumar Adhikari.

CIAA said they mediated between the officials and Sarkar for the kickback.

CIAA demanded that the Court impose a fine of Rs 6.1 million and actions as per Sections 3(1) and 3(1h) of Anti-Corruption Act, 2002 on the officials.

The customs agents should also pay the fine of Rs 2.39 million and face actions as per Sections 3(1) and 3(1f) of the Act, according to CIAA.

Source: THT