Kathmandu: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has made a significant legal move by appealing in the Supreme Court against 17 individuals. This action challenges a previous decision by the Special Court regarding financial irregularities associated with the Melamchi Drinking Water Supply Project.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the anti-graft body issued a press statement on Sunday, announcing its appeal to the apex court. Among those named in the appeal are Dr. Sanjaya Sharma, the former Secretary at the Ministry of Water Supply, who, along with others, was previously acquitted of corruption charges.
The appeal also targets the former Chairperson of the Melamchi Drinking Water Project and other key figures, such as ministry secretaries Bhim Prasad Upadhyay and Gajendra Kumar Thakur. Additionally, Bhoj Bikram Thapa, known for signing an agreement between the government and the Gen-Z movement protestors, has been included as a defendant in the appeal filed at the Supreme Court on Sunday.
This legal action follows a corruption case initially filed by the CIAA against 17 individuals and entities in February 2024 at the Special Court, concerning alleged irregularities in the Melamchi Drinking Water Supply Project.