Kathmandu, July 17: Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Mr Balaram Adhikari has landed in controversy after an audio clip surfaced alleging his involvement in a Rs 3.2 million bribe deal.
The audio is linked to the process of registering 135 ropanis of land in Pokhara under a private individual’s name. In the clip, it is claimed that Minister Adhikari received the bribe through his son, Manoj Adhikari.
The recording also mentions names of other high-ranking officials, including then Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Raj Kumar Gupta, former Secretary Arjun Pokharel, and other intermediaries.
Former Minister Gupta had already resigned following the release of an audio clip. However, Minister Adhikari, while addressing the House of Representatives, has denied the allegations against him.
The leaked audio has sparked widespread criticism on social media and among political circles, raising serious concerns about high-level collusion and corruption in Nepal’s land administration system. #nepal #corruption #bribary
