Pokhara: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has registered a corruption case against Chitta Ranjan Das, Chief of the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) in Gandaki Province, and others. The anti-graft body filed the case at the Special Court following an investigation into a complaint that excessive quantities of diesel were dispatched beyond the quantity stated in the invoice.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the CIAA’s investigation revealed that representatives of the Gandaki Dhaulagiri Petroleum Association, Jagannath Dungana and Laxman Ranabhat, who were responsible for sealing the petroleum products’ stock, colluded with the NOC’s authority. They allegedly facilitated the dispatch of excessive petroleum products by turning off CCTV cameras. The statement from Rajendra Kumar Poudel, the CIAA’s spokesperson, indicated that although 12,000 liters of diesel were meant to be dispatched, a total of 15,038 liters were delivered.
The tanker carrying the excessive fuel was impounded at Pokhara Metropolitan City ward no. 27. The anti-graft body claimed that a total of 3,038 liters of excess diesel was embezzled, amounting to Rs 448,525 at the rate of Rs 147 per liter.
The CIAA has filed a case against NOC Gandaki Province Chief Das, representatives Dhungana and Ranabhat, proprietor of the Paschimanchal Traders, Baburam Jammakattel, and tanker driver Nirmal Thapa. The CIAA also demanded a compensation amount of Rs 448,525 from each involved party.