KATHMANDU, July 14: Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Rajkumar Gupta, who is implicated in a Rs 7.8 million bribery scandal, has been summoned to the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar. Following Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's return to Kathmandu from Jhapa, Gupta was called to Baluwatar.
Although the bribery incident involving Minister Gupta took place six months ago in January, the audio related to the incident was made public only a few days ago. The issue has also reached the Federal Parliament.
Federal Affairs Minister Gupta implicated in bribery scandal ov...
PM Oli is reportedly preparing to take 'action' against Minister Gupta in connection with the bribery case. Minister Gupta has also said that he is ready to clear the way for an investigation if instructed by the party. “If the party conducts an investigation, I am ready,” said Minister Gupta. However, he denied his involvement in the case, citing it was fabricated.
Minister Gupta became embroiled in the bribery case after an audio recording surfaced revealing a ‘deal’ involving the transfer of employees and land revenue officers under the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation (MoLCPA). The minister is accused of accepting Rs 5.3 million to halt the transfer of Ramchandra Adhikari, the then chief of the Land Revenue Office in Kaski, and an additional Rs 2.5 million for the appointment of a district chairperson in the Land Commission—totaling approximately Rs 7.8 million.
A complaint was filed with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), accompanied by photos of two bags containing the bribe money, along with serial numbers and bundles of currency notes. Following the complaint’s registration, the audio recording of the bribery deal involving Minister Gupta was made public.