KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has taken Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Director General Pradip Adhikari into custody for prosecution.
The anti-graft body, which had earlier summoned Adhikari for statements, detained him on Wednesday to present him before the Special Court for a corruption case. Alongside Adhikari, the CIAA has also detained former CAAN Director Murari Bhandari.
According to CIAA officials, both were providing statements at the commission in earlier sessions but were taken under control after they appeared on Wednesday following a court date. The CIAA is preparing to register a corruption case against them, possibly within the day.
Adhikari and Bhandari face allegations of corruption related to the construction of a helipad in Nalinchowk, Bhaktapur. Authorities say they misused their positions in the project’s planning and execution.
In addition, Adhikari is also being drawn into ongoing investigations concerning alleged irregularities in the construction of the Bhairahawa and Pokhara international airports, both of which have faced scrutiny over financial transparency and project management.
The Special Court is expected to review the case filings once the CIAA formally submits the charges.
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