KATHMANDU: Five individuals, including Bijaya Kumar Yadav, the former Minister for Economic Affairs of Madhesh Province, have been convicted in a corruption case related to the snake breeding program at Jhalanath Khanal Academy of Health Sciences.
A bench comprising Chairman of the Special Court Tek Narayan Kuwar and members Tej Narayan Singh Rai and Murari Babu Shrestha delivered the verdict on Tuesday, finding them guilty in the corruption case.
Apart from Yadav, those convicted include Rewati Prasad Pant, Chair of the Academy, Nawraj Bhandari, Secretary General, Treasurer Niraj Bhandari, and member Devendra Raya.
Meanwhile, the then Mayor of Lalbandi Municipality, Man Bahadur Khadka, and former secretary of Madhesh government, Prem Kumar Shrestha, have been acquitted in the case.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a corruption case, alleging that Economic Affairs Minister Yadav and Lalbandi Municipality Chief Man Bahadur Khadka had unlawfully colluded with Jhalanath Khanal Institute of Health Sciences, abusing their authority to disburse NPR 179.8 million under false pretenses.
Funds were allocated in the provincial government’s budget statement for fiscal year 2076/077, using a supplementary grant from the federal government for establishing a snake venom collection, processing, and production center in collaboration with Lalbandi Municipality in Sarlahi.
The next hearing to determine the sentencing for the case is scheduled for July 9.
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