KATHMANDU: A formal complaint has been lodged at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) against Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, alleging serious irregularities in the procurement of a newly installed lift at the municipal office.

The complaint, filed on Thursday by Yubaraj Paudel Saphal, claims that the lift—worth nearly Rs 10 million—was procured without adhering to standard procedures mandated by Nepal’s public procurement laws. Saphal has alleged that the process bypassed key steps such as competitive bidding, public tender notices, and quotation collection.

“My concern is not with the installation of a lift itself,” Saphal clarified in his complaint, “but with the blatant disregard for the Public Procurement Act, 2063 and the Procurement Regulations, 2064—particularly the clauses that ensure transparency and fair competition.”

Saphal has requested that the CIAA thoroughly investigate the procurement by reviewing all relevant documents, including tenders, contractor details, approval files, and payment records. He emphasized that such scrutiny is essential to determine whether any corruption or procedural misconduct took place during the lift installation.

The complaint has brought renewed attention to procurement practices under Mayor Shah’s administration, with critics calling for greater accountability in public expenditures. This is not the first time concerns have been raised regarding transparency under the young mayor’s leadership, though no formal corruption charges have been confirmed to date.

As of now, Mayor Shah or the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office has not issued a public response to the complaint. The CIAA is expected to conduct a preliminary review before deciding whether to launch a full investigation.