KATHMANDU: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has summoned former Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Rajkumar Gupta for a voice test in connection with a bribery scandal.

Gupta resigned after an audio tape surfaced, allegedly capturing him involved in a bribery transaction of NPR 7.8 million, following instructions from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The CIAA began investigating after receiving a complaint along with the bribery audio evidence.

Gupta has been asked to appear before the commission on Tuesday for a voice verification test.

An official from the CIAA confirmed that Gupta is expected to attend the hearing.

Gupta, who is also a central committee member of the CPN-UML, is currently participating in the ongoing central committee meeting.

He lost his ministerial position after the release of the audio allegedly exposing bribery related to the transfer of the Chief of Land Reform and Revenue Office in Pokhara and the appointment of the chairman of the Land Commission in Kaski.

Although Gupta has denied involvement in the bribery, stating the audio is not his, the CIAA’s preliminary investigation revealed that the voice in the tape matches his.

Gupta admitted to negotiating the bribe and even leaving the money bag at the government residence.

Following the complaint, the CIAA is proceeding with further investigation based on the voice test results.