KATHMANDU: A corruption case involving Rs 57.9 million has been filed against Sunil Paudel, the former Executive Director of the National Information Technology Center (NITC), along with four other individuals.

According to Rajendra Kumar Paudel, the spokesperson for the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the case was initiated after an investigation into allegations that the prices of major technical equipment purchased during the Fiscal Year 2075/76 were significantly higher than the current market prices available from online sources.

The NITC had prepared a cost estimate of Rs 262.9 million and submitted it for procurement. As per Invoice Number 6124 presented by Max International on 4th Asar 2076 June 18, 2020), a payment of Rs 31.4 million (excluding VAT) was made to the company under the title “Training and On-time Installation and Configuration at GIDC and DRC.”

The CIAA’s investigation found that the cost estimates were prepared with conflict of interest and collusion, payments were processed for work that had not even commenced as per the contract, and fabricated claims were made for activities that were never performed.

The corruption charges have also been filed against Ramesh Prasad Pokharel, then Assistant Director of NITC, Ramsharan Gayak, Computer Engineer, Nimbahadur Oli, then Accounts Officer, Max International Pvt. Ltd., Putalisadak, Kathmandu, and Akbar Hussain, the CEO of Max International Pvt. Ltd.

The CIAA has sought recovery of Rs 57.9 million from the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059 (2002). An indictment was filed on Monday at the Special Court, Kathmandu, demanding appropriate legal action.