KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against Balram Thakur, the former Executive Director of the Greater Janakpur Area Development Council, along with seven others.

They have been accused of embezzling over Rs 17.5 million (Rs 17,567,000) during Thakur’s four-year tenure.

Among those charged are the Council’s accountant Sabitri Giri, administrative officer Chiranjivi Raj Sharma Dhungana, computer officer Krishna Murari Singh, driver Bikki Kumar Chaudhary, consumer committee chair Bijay Kumar Yadav, treasurer Babita Devi Sah, contractor Jitendra Kumar Yadav, and Thakur’s wife Indulekha Kumari Thakur.

Thakur led the Council from Mangsir 5, 2075 (November 21, 2018) to Mangsir 4, 2079 (November 20, 2022).

His term was plagued by allegations of widespread corruption, including misuse of development funds, manipulation of official documents, and forgery of government seals and signatures.

Following complaints of irregularities in construction works under the Council, the CIAA began an investigation.

On Bhadra 20, 2079 (September 5, 2022), the Commission raided the Council office and confiscated key documents related to the suspected corruption.

Thakur was arrested from Bhainsepati, Lalitpur in mid-January after a separate complaint was filed with the Dhanusha District Police.

He was accused of using forged documents to embezzle around Rs 3 million.

Additional allegations against Thakur include unauthorized spending of Council funds and financial misconduct in the purchase and resale of a Scorpio vehicle.

The CIAA concluded that Thakur, along with the other accused, was involved in multiple acts of financial irregularities throughout his tenure.