Former chief administrative officer caught attempting to bribe CIAA

Achham: Former Chief Administrative Officer of Mellekh Rural Municipality, Dhurba Prasad Sapkota, has been apprehended by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) while attempting to offer a bribe of Rs 100,000.

Sapkota was under investigation for alleged corruption related to machinery procurement. The CIAA’s Mahendranagar office had been scrutinizing a complaint lodged on Mangshir 10. During the inquiry, Sapkota was summoned to the CIAA's Kanchanpur office to submit relevant documents.

Carrying a bag containing the requested documents, Sapkota presented an envelope to the investigation officer. Among 31 submitted documents, a separate envelope containing 96 Nepali notes of Rs 1,000 and 8 notes of Rs 500—totaling Rs 100,000—was discovered. When questioned about the contents, Sapkota admitted, "I brought it voluntarily for you to settle the matter."

Sapkota was arrested on the spot, and further investigation is underway, according to CIAA Central Office Spokesperson Narahari Ghimire. Sapkota, who currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer of Kispang Rural Municipality in Nuwakot, is now in CIAA custody for additional inquiries.