Kathmandu — The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court, Kathmandu, against former Director General of the Department of Health Services Dr. Sangita Kaushal Mishra and 13 others.
According to the commission, irregularities were found in the procurement process of mammography machines, where collusion among officials and the contractor company was evident from the cost estimation phase. The investigation revealed that the process was carried out to benefit the supplier company.
The CIAA stated that, contrary to the terms of the contract, fake and forged invoices and bills were prepared and a false payment of NPR 133.78 million (Rs. 13 crore 37 lakh 83 thousand) was made even though all the equipment had not been supplied.
The corruption is linked to the FY 2078/79 (2021/22) procurement deal of the Department of Health Services. The CIAA found that the deal violated the Public Procurement Act 2063 (2007) and Regulations 2064 (2008).
The approved cost estimate for the contract was NPR 127.5 million, while the supplier company, Maxim Incorporation Traders Pvt. Ltd., had submitted a bid of NPR 125.5 million, which is only 1.57% lower than the estimated cost.
The commission also found that confidential details were shared with the supplier before the bidding process began, proving the entire procurement was conducted through collusion.
Although the manufacturing company, General Medical Merit, Italy, had supplied materials worth around NPR 68.5 million, the department made a payment of nearly NPR 141.8 million, according to the CIAA.
Further investigation showed that only two phases of delivery were made, with only the first phase of goods actually received. However, a false report was prepared claiming that all the items had been delivered, and payment was made accordingly.
The individuals involved in this case include:
Former Director General Dr. Sangita Kaushal Mishra,
Director of the Management Division Dr. Shravan Kumar Thapa,
Head of Supply Management Branch Dr. Surendra Prasad Chaurasia,
Director Dr. Vivek Kumar Lal,
Accounts Controller Bhuvan Prasad Kafle,
Legal Officer Sita Ghimire,
Biomedical Engineers Ashish Chauhan and Padhma Mishra,
Accountant Tilak Ram Dhakal, and
Founder of Maxim Incorporation Traders Sundar Bhusal, among others.
The CIAA has filed the case under Sections 8(1)(a), (c), (e), and (j) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059 (2002).
The commission has demanded that the defendants be punished with imprisonment and fines, and that a total amount of NPR 140.68 million (Rs. 14 crore 6 lakh 85 thousand 500) be recovered from them as illicit gains.
