A corruption case has been filed against three individuals, including the principal of Ganesh Secondary School in Tatopani Rural Municipality–1, Ranka, Jumla, for allegedly embezzling scholarship funds.
The case was filed on Monday by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority against Principal Narendra Bahadur Mahat, School Management Committee Chair Til Prasad Bhattarai, and an accounts assistant. They are accused of misappropriating Rs. 145,350 in scholarship funds allocated to the school for the fiscal year 2079/80.
According to the Commission, Mahat had submitted documents to Tatopani Rural Municipality on Chaitra 21, 2080, claiming that scholarships were distributed to students. The records showed that 83 girls from grades 1 to 5 received Rs. 1,000 each, and 44 girls from grades 6 to 8 received Rs. 1,485.23 each, totaling Rs. 148,350.
However, investigations revealed that the scholarship funds were not actually distributed to the intended students. Instead, the accused allegedly colluded to forge documents. It was found that they created fake receipts dated Ashoj 21, 2080, and later produced another fraudulent document dated Chaitra 21, 2080, to show that the scholarships had been distributed.
According to CIAA spokesperson Suresh Nyaupane, the आरोप पत्र (charge sheet) has been filed at the Special Court in Kathmandu, seeking recovery of the misappropriated amount along with imprisonment and fines under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059.
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