Bara, Tara Bahadur Karki, the Ward President of Ward No. 3 in Jitpursimra Sub-Metropolitan City, has been removed from his position on allegations of accepting a bribe in exchange for recommending a Ghar Bato (home pathway). The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority's Central Office in Kathmandu discreetly conveyed this information to the sub-metropolitan through a confidential letter regarding Karki's dismissal.
.jpg "has been removed from his position")
The incident unfolded
when the Authority's Hetauda team apprehended Karki at the Jaishwal Hotel in
Jeetpur. It was reported that he was in the process of accepting a cash amount
of 5 lakhs from a local resident, Rajan Upreti, in return for facilitating a
home recommendation.
Acting swiftly, the commission not only arrested Karki along with the cash on Monday but also transported him to the central office in Kathmandu. Simultaneously, the commission officially relieved Karki of his duties as the Ward President on the same day.
The letter sent by the commission to the sub-metropolitan highlighted the legal basis for Karki's suspension. Citing Section 16 (4) of the Abuse of Power Investigation Commission Act 2048, the letter informed that the term had been extended by the special court in Kathmandu since August 2, 2018. Additionally, as Karki held a public position as a national servant, Section 17 of the Commission Act 2048 and Section 33 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 2059 automatically triggered his suspension.
Following Karki's removal, Section 116 of the Local Government Operation Act 2074 comes into play. In the event of a vacant position for the Ward President, the Act empowers members of the Ward Committee to select an Acting Ward President from among themselves. If no ward election takes place, the executive has the authority to appoint an employee to fulfill the role of the Ward President.
In cases where the Ward Committee and the executive council for the acting Ward President cannot reach a decision, the ultimate authority to make the appointment lies with the mayor. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority's Hetouda office confirmed that since the entire investigation and prosecution process in Karki's case was handled by the Central Office in Tangal, all relevant files have been transferred.
When Karki was apprehended with the 5 lakhs in cash on Monday, he claimed that the money was intended for constructing a temple.
