National
Around 200 soldiers face court-martial in bribery scandal
Around 200 Nepal Army personnel are facing court-martial for their alleged involvement in a bribery scandal that took place last year during recruitment process.Around 200 Nepal Army personnel are facing court-martial for their alleged involvement in a bribery scandal that took place last year during recruitment process.
A court of inquiry, under the leadership of Maj Gen Sharad Giri, is investigating into the complaint that 180 personnel, including a major from Mid-Division in Hetauda, solicited bribes from many aspiring soldiers assuring them job in the national defence force.
Army Spokesperson Brig Gen Gokul Bhandari said that the accused officers are currently under custody at various Army units.
“They will face punishments based on the finding of court of inquiry,” he told the Post. If found guilty, the officers concerned could face punishments ranging from furnishing clarification, promotion blockage, monetary fine to termination from the job.
The allegations of irregularities in the appointments and promotion in the NA is not uncommon. Most recently, former Chief of Army Staff Rajendra Chhetri was accused of bypassing the merits during the promotion of 47 lieutenant colonels to colonels a few months ago.
A number of senior lieutenants had filed a complaint against Chhetri at the Prime Minister’s Office, blaming him of tampering the promotion list and inserting the names of his favourite officers even though they were from junior batches.
Officers from senior batches were disregarded and Chhetri’s kin, despite being junior, were promoted at the time.
The issue had landed at the PMO after Defence Minister Ishwar Pokharel endorsed Chhetri’s list without any question.
The issue had even reached Parliament where MP Mahesh Basnet had called for a parliamentary inquiry. But no step was taken to right the wrong. The issue has been now been ‘settled’ with Chhetri’s retirement.