KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has lodged cases against three former secretaries and 17 other individuals in connection with corruption allegations related to the Melamchi Water Supply Project.

Former secretaries Bhim Upadhyaya, Sanjay Sharma, and Gajendra Thakur face corruption charges as per the cases filed by the CIAA.

Additionally, the CIAA has initiated corruption proceedings against Rudra Singh Tamang, the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Immigration.

The accusations revolve around exceeding legal funding limits while signing a Rs 7.72 billion contract for the Melamchi Water Supply Project.

Notably, former Secretary Upadhyaya has gained attention on social media for speaking out against corruption and misappropriation.

The investigation points towards the involvement of then-Secretaries Upadhyaya, Sharma, Thakur, and the current DG of the Immigration Department, Rudra Singh Tamang, in the corruption case.

CIAA has alleged these officials of irregularities in the Melamchi project agreement and is claiming over Rs 69.7 million from Sharma, Rs 41.1 million from Upadhyaya, and Rs 604.9 million from Thakur for the losses and damages caused by them.

Managing Director of the project, Ghanashyam Bhattarai, and other officials, including Mani Bhadra Neupane, Ram Chandra Neupane, Kedar Prasad Aryal, Chandra Bahadur Thapa, Bhoj Bikram Thapa, and Begnath Paudel, are also facing corruption charges.