Former Minister Gupta summoned by CIAA over bribery scandal

KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has summoned former Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Rajkumar Gupta for a voice test in connection with a bribery case involving Rs 7.8 million.

Gupta was forced to resign following the release of an audio recording allegedly capturing him negotiating a bribe for halting the transfer of the chief of the Pokhara Land Revenue Office and for appointing an individual as chairperson of the Land Commission in Kaski. His resignation came at the instruction of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The CIAA launched a probe after receiving a formal complaint accompanied by the audio recording. According to a CIAA official, Gupta has been asked to appear on Tuesday for a forensic voice analysis.

Despite stepping down, Gupta has denied involvement, claiming the voice in the audio is not his. However, the CIAA’s preliminary investigation reportedly suggests the voice matches Gupta’s, prompting further action.

Gupta is a central committee member of CPN-UML and continues to attend the party’s ongoing central committee meeting.