KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is investigating former Nepal Telecom official Ganga Datta Bhatt and his associate, Bibek Sharma, over allegations that they accepted Rs10 million in bribes from a Chinese contractor.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, the alleged payments were transferred through bank accounts in exchange for assisting the contractor in securing a Nepal Telecom contract while Bhatt was still employed by the state-owned telecom company.
The pair came under investigation after the Chinese contractor filed a complaint with the CIAA, alleging they continued to demand money even after the contract had been awarded and submitted supporting evidence.
Bhatt and Sharma have been in CIAA custody since July 8, and the anti-graft agency is continuing its investigation into both the contract and the alleged bribery scheme.
