Corruption Charge Sheet Filed Against CAAN DG Pradeep Adhikari, Former Director Murari Bhandari, and Four Others
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption charge sheet against Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Director General Pradeep Adhikari, former Director Murari Bhandari, and four others. The consulting firm Abhiyantra Consulting Pvt. Ltd. has also been named as a defendant.
According to the CIAA, extensive irregularities and legal violations occurred during the process of constructing the Nalinchok helipad, prompting the corruption case.
The charge sheet filed at the Special Court names:
- Pradeep Adhikari, CAAN Director General
- Murari Bhandari, former CAAN Director
- Nal Bikram Thapa
- Samriddhi Shrestha
- Gurudatta Adhikari
- Vijay Thapa, Manager of Abhiyantra Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
The CIAA has demanded punishment under the Corruption Prevention Act.
Claims in the Charge Sheet
The CIAA alleges that violations occurred at every stage—from consultant selection to preparation of the study report—causing a loss of
Rs 13,57,46,213.77 (over Rs 13.57 crore) to public property.
Key accusations include:
- Proceeding with the project without mandatory feasibility study
- Calling for technical and financial proposals without legal approval
- Selecting an inexperienced consultancy firm through collusion
- Moving ahead with procurement without completing the Detailed Project Report (DPR)
- Preparing cost estimates without conducting the required feasibility study
- Advancing the construction process without specifications, design, procurement planning, annual procurement plan, or budget approval
The CIAA also states that despite legal requirements, the project proceeded without government approval or environmental impact assessment (EIA), which is mandatory for sensitive structures like helipads.
Custody Extended for Two Days
DG Pradeep Adhikari and former Director Murari Bhandari—arrested earlier today—will remain in custody for two more days due to time constraints in completing their court proceedings, as per the Special Court’s order.
The CIAA has demanded action against all defendants for causing public loss, unlawful decisions, violating legal provisions, and engaging in corruption through collusion.
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