The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has asked over a dozen government officials and police officials to submit their property details, according to sources.

What makes the probe interesting is some of the officials against whom the investigation has been initiated are considered close to Lok Man Singh Karki, who remains suspended as the chief of the CIAA after an impeachment motion was filed against him on October 19.

According to sources at the CIAA, Arjun Karki, secretary at the Office of Nepal Trust; Gajendra Thakur, secretary at the Ministry of Irrigation; Chudamani Sharma, director general of the Inland Revenue Department; Sishir Dhungana, director general of the Department of Customs and Dhan Raj Gyawali, joint secretary at the Ministry of Law are some of the government officials who are under the CIAA scanner. The police officials who are being probed by the CIAA include Assistant Inspectors General of Police Birendra Babu Shrestha and Pratap Singh Thapa.

“They have been given 15 days to submit their property details,” a CIAA source said. “Some have already collected forms.” The anti-graft body has designed a 13-page form which people being investigated by CIAA have to fill.

CIAA Spokesperson Ganesh Raj Karki said people holding public posts are asked to fill the 13-page property detail form when there are complaints or information about possessing property beyond their legal source of income.

“If there are discrepancies in the property of the persons in question and the details they have submitted, initial investigation is launched,” said Pathak. A CIAA probe had earlier found Secretary Karki’s involvement in irregularities in tent and tarpaulin distribution for the earthquake survivors. But only a departmental action was recommendation against him while some other officials were booked. He was also the subject of a probe when the CIAA was investigating into Nepal Electricity Authority’s transformer purchase. Karki was the managing director of the NEA when the transformers were procured.

IRD Director General Sharma has a long history of controversies. He is said to have favoured Ncell, a private mobile phone operator, regarding the issue of capital gains tax. His performance and integrity were questioned when he served at government agencies in different capacities.

Under scanner

-    Arjun Karki, secretary at the Office of Nepal Trust

-    Gajendra Thakur, secretary at the Ministry of Irrigation

-    Chudamani Sharma, director general of the Inland Revenue Department

-    Sishir Dhungana, director general of the Department of Customs

-    Dhan Raj Gyawali, joint secretary at the Ministry of Law

-    Birendra Babu Shrestha, AIG

-    Pratap Singh Thapa, AIG