KATHMANDU: A corruption case has been filed against 17 individuals for misappropriating social security allowances through collusion, according to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

As per CIAA, the investigation revealed that from fiscal year 2057/58 to 2072/73, a total of 19 individuals who did not meet the age requirement were fraudulently issued social security beneficiary identity cards as senior citizens and Dalit senior citizens.

In some cases, individuals without citizenship certificates were falsely registered as single women to claim benefits.

The corruption case has been filed against 17 people, including former chairman of the then-Narainapur Village Development Committee in Banke district, Ajay Kumar Srivastava, and then-secretary Sabitram Kurmi. It was found that they colluded to issue fake beneficiary identity cards and distributed allowances, misappropriating Rs 656,700 in the process.

Others named in the case include office secretary Ashok Kumar Srivastava, and recipients Sahajima Khatun, Awadhram Badahi, Ramjivan Pasi, Manorani Ahirani, Ramchandra Dhobi, Laysarif Khan, Momina Pathanin, Hamiya Pathanin, Nanko Murau, Jangali Kadariya, Hariram Ahir, Bari Khan, Moti Bhujwa, and Santram Badahi.

The CIAA has filed the charge sheet at the Special Court in Kathmandu, demanding punishment under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059 (2002).