SIDDHARTHANAGAR: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has launched an investigation into alleged irregularities in riverbed material extraction and contract awards in Kotahimai Rural Municipality, Rupandehi.

A CIAA team raided the rural municipality office and seized documents following complaints of illegal extraction, contract manipulation, and financial irregularities. The probe focuses on contracts awarded for riverbed material extraction at four sites along the Tinau and Danav rivers.

Local residents have alleged collusion between elected representatives and municipal officials in the bidding process. The CIAA said further investigation is underway.