Kathmandu, April 18: The Special Court has issued an arrest warrant against former executive director of Nepal Oil Corporation Gopal Bahadur Khadka. The Court issued an arrest warrant against Khadka on Monday in the case of illegal wealth acquisition (corruption). On Monday, a joint bench of Justices Yamuna Bhattarai, Balabhadra Bastola and Khushi Prasad Tharu issued arrest warrants against four people including Khadka.
In 2075 BS, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a case against Khadka in the Special Court for illegally acquiring property worth Rs. 18 crore 66 lakh. Mr Khadka was appointed as the executive director of the corporation by the Council of Ministers in 2071 BS.
After getting involved in many controversies, the government deposed him in 2074 BS according to the recommendations of various parliamentary committees.
The CIAA had claimed that Khadka was hiding properties in the name of his wife Sharmila Khadka and other people. Although Khadka was repeatedly scheduled to appear for the hearing, the special court issued an arrest warrant against him on Monday after he did not appear.
The then Sushil Koirala-led government removed Chandika Bhatta, who started efforts to reform the corporation, and appointed Khadka, a retired engineer (Deputy Secretary), as the executive director. Khadka, who was embroiled in various irregularities while working in Division Road Office Kathmandu, became the executive head of the corporation within a few days of his resignation.
He made several controversial decisions while purchasing land for NOC in Rupandehi, Jhapa and other places.
