Kosh Raj Onta, the disgraced chief of the Armed Police Force, has admitted to his involvement in embezzling state coffers by producing fake bills while supplying goods to the units of the paramilitary force.
Kosh Raj Onta, the disgraced chief of the Armed Police Force, who was suspended by the government at the recommendation of the Commi-ssion for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), has admitted to his involvement in embezzling state coffers by producing fake bills while supplying goods to the units of the paramilitary force.
During a seven-hour interrogation, Onta admitted before CIAA investigators that he had produced fake bills while supplying goods to paramilitary forces’ units “at the provocation” of his colleagues.
He has admitted to his involvement in irregularities,” an investigator told the Post seeking anonymity.
The former APF head, however, did not disclose the names of his colleagues who he said “had provoked” him to commit the fraud.
A team of investigators led by DSP Madhav Khatri is interrogating Onta under the direct supervision of CIAA Chief Commissioner Lokman Singh Karki.
Sources privy to the investigation have said preliminary investigation shows that Onta had embezzled at least Rs 70 million while supplying equipment to the APF units. Onta is also being investigated by the CIAA for amassing properties through illegal means.
“He managed to post a bail of Rs 100 million within an hour. This shows the unbelievable amount of property he has amassed,” said the official.
When the anti-graft body asked him to choose between going to the custody and
posting a bail of Rs 100 million, the suspended APF chief went for the second option and furnished bank guarantee equivalent to
the bail amount sought by the CIAA from his account in Citizens Bank within
an hour.
CIAA officials say the anti-graft body is separately investigating into his properties, based on the complaints that he had amassed all those through illegal means. The CIAA has already instructed authorities to freeze Onta’s bank accounts.
“We will most probably file a corruption case against him in the next 10 days. Other investigations will continue,” said the investigator.
Onta had reached the CIAA headquarters early in the morning on Tuesday.
The seven-hour interrogation, which lasted till late evening, was punctuated by frequent breaks.
The government on Friday had suspended Onta, a day after the anti-graft recommended for the same.
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