Two high-ranking officials at the Bhoomi Underground Water Source and Irrigation Development Division in Sarlahi have been arrested on charges of bribery. Division Chief Anupama Dhakal and Mechanical Officer Tulakant Chaudhary were taken into custody for allegedly accepting a bribe of 821,000 rupees.
The arrest was made by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) regional office in Bardibas on Friday evening. According to the CIAA, a search of Dhakal’s quarters in Bagmati Municipality-12 yielded 750,000 rupees in cash, which was allegedly received as a bribe from a service recipient. An additional 71,115 rupees was also recovered during the search.
According to the CIAA, the bribe was demanded by Dhakal through Chaudhary after the completion of boring and motor installation work by various water user committees under the division. Chaudhary had allegedly handed over the bribe money to Dhakal’s quarters on her instructions.
The CIAA has stated that further investigation and legal action will be taken against the two officials. The arrest is seen as a major crackdown on corruption in the country’s irrigation sector.
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