Kathmandu, June 8: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against Birgunj Metropolitan City Mayor Rajeshman Singh along with six other individuals at the Special Court on Monday.
The case concerns allegations of issuing Nepali citizenship using false details, in which a girl was allegedly registered as someone else’s daughter. Recently, Nepal Police arrested him and later acquitted on bail from District Court, Parsa.
According to the CIAA, a girl named Rubina Bhattarai, daughter of Rita Bhattarai from Indrawati Rural Municipality–10 in Sindhupalchok, was falsely recorded as “Rubina Shrestha” to obtain citizenship.
The accusation states that on Kartik 20, 2071BS, a fake birth registration certificate was created in Ward No. 3 of Birgunj Metropolitan City based on false information. Using that certificate, a recommendation was issued from the ward office, and citizenship was granted by the District Administration Office, Parsa on Shrawan 13, 2075 BS.
The CIAA has alleged that Mayor Singh and the child’s mother, Rita Bhattarai, acted as key facilitators in the illegal process.
Former ward secretary Bhikhari Rai and then ward member and acting ward chair Taiful Akhtar Thakurai have also been charged for knowingly preparing false official documents, including birth registration and citizenship recommendation papers.
Former administrative officer of the District Administration Office, Parsa, Sada Kumar Pokharel, has also been named as a defendant for allegedly issuing citizenship based on incorrect information.
Similarly, former under-secretary Pushkar Rana and section officer Parshuram Pokharel, both involved in a Home Ministry investigation committee, have been accused of preparing a misleading report that supported the illegal citizenship process.
With the filing of the case, Mayor Singh is expected to be automatically suspended from his post under legal provisions applicable to public office holders facing corruption charges. #nepal #ciaa
