CIAA Alleges Airport Contract Bribes Were Used To Buy Land, Files Corruption Case Against Former CAAN Chief Pradeep Adhikari
CIAA has filed a corruption case against former CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari, alleging that money collected from airport construction contractors was used to purchase land in his wife's name.
· 4 min read
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against former Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Pradeep Adhikari, alleging that money received as bribes from airport construction contracts was used to purchase land in his wife's name.
According to the CIAA charge sheet submitted to the Special Court, contractors involved in various airport construction projects allegedly provided money that was later used in the purchase of a 13-aana land plot in Lalitpur.
The anti-corruption body has accused Adhikari of corruption and money laundering, claiming that the illegal payments were disguised through a land transaction.
However, the allegations are based on CIAA's investigation and claims. The court will determine whether the accused are guilty.
CIAA Claims Rs 1.71 Crore Was Routed Through Contractors
According to the CIAA, more than three dozen small and medium-sized contracts under CAAN were allegedly used to collect bribes at around one percent of contract amounts.
The commission claims that the collected money was later used to purchase land registered in the name of Adhikari's wife Sufal KC in 2018.
CIAA alleges that:
Contractors paid money to the land sellers instead of directly paying Adhikari.
The transaction was structured to hide the source of the funds.
Around Rs 1.71 crore was allegedly transferred by contractors and their companies.
The commission has claimed that this amount represented illegal payments connected to airport construction contracts.
Land Deal At The Centre Of Investigation
CIAA alleges that Adhikari purchased the Lalitpur land from Canada-based sellers Surya Tamrakar and Rajani Shrestha (Tamrakar).
According to the investigation, the official land transaction documents showed a payment of Rs 91 lakh.
However, CIAA claims the actual value of the land was around Rs 2.75 crore, with the remaining amount allegedly arranged through payments made by contractors.
The commission alleges that contractors transferred money to the sellers' bank accounts before and during the land purchase.
Contractors Allegedly Linked To Airport Projects
CIAA claims the contractors involved in the payments had received several construction contracts from CAAN.
The companies and individuals named in the investigation include:
Uma & Company Pvt. Ltd.
Gayatri Construction Service
Basu Khadka
Prem Prakash Dhakal
Dhruva Prasad Timalsina
Rajan Khadka
According to CIAA, these companies received airport-related construction contracts worth around Rs 3 billion.
The projects allegedly included works at:
Tribhuvan International Airport
Janakpur Airport
Dhangadhi Airport
Rara Airport
Kalikot Airport
Nalinchowk Airport
Pokhara Airport-related works
Contractors' Statements Mentioned In CIAA Charge Sheet
CIAA has stated that some contractors admitted making payments connected to Adhikari.
According to the commission, contractor Basu Khadka told investigators that payments were made based on instructions from Adhikari and other individuals.
CIAA also quoted contractor Dhruva Prasad Timalsina as saying payments were made to support cooperation and facilitation in obtaining and operating contracts.
The statements are part of CIAA's evidence presented before the Special Court.
Adhikari Denies Responsibility For Contractors' Transactions
During questioning, Pradeep Adhikari reportedly denied wrongdoing.
CIAA stated that Adhikari claimed:
He purchased the land for Rs 91 lakh.
The payment came from a legitimate source.
He was not responsible for financial transactions between the sellers and other individuals.
Adhikari argued that any separate transactions between contractors and land sellers were unrelated to him.
Money Laundering Charge Added
CIAA has also accused Adhikari of laundering alleged corruption proceeds.
The commission claims the money obtained through corruption was converted into property and passed through different channels to make it appear legitimate.
CIAA has filed a money laundering-related claim against:
Pradeep Adhikari
Prem Prakash Dhakal
Gayatri Construction Service
The commission has sought a recovery amount of Rs 1.71 crore in connection with the alleged laundering.
Previous Cases Against Former CAAN Chief
The latest case is not the first corruption-related case involving Pradeep Adhikari.
CIAA has previously filed multiple corruption cases against him.
The investigation into airport construction contracts and related decisions has continued as authorities examine possible financial irregularities in Nepal's aviation sector.
Wife's Investigation Issue
CIAA also attempted to question Adhikari's wife, Sufal KC, regarding the land ownership.
However, the commission stated that KC is a serving Nepal Army officer.
According to CIAA, constitutional and legal provisions limit its authority to directly investigate certain military personnel.
The matter was therefore returned to the concerned military authorities for necessary action under applicable laws.
What Happens Next?
The corruption case will now proceed through the Special Court.
CIAA will present its evidence and allegations, while the accused will have the opportunity to defend themselves.
The court will decide whether the allegations of corruption, illegal asset acquisition and money laundering are proven.
Until a final court verdict, all allegations remain claims under investigation.
Published 2 hours ago in Crime