CIAA files case against Birgunj Mayor over fake citizenship row
The case also includes former ward secretary Bhikhari Rai and acting ward chair Tufail Akhtar Thakurai of Ward No. 3 in Birgunj.
KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against seven individuals, including the Mayor of Rajeshman Singh, over allegations of securing citizenship through forged documents.
According to CIAA spokesperson Surendra Neupane, the accused are alleged to have facilitated citizenship registration by falsely presenting another person’s daughter as the mayor’s own, enabling the issuance of citizenship documents through fraudulent means.
Among those named as defendants is Rita Bhattarai of Sindhupalchowk, who is accused of obtaining citizenship by being falsely presented as the mayor’s daughter.
The case also includes former ward secretary Bhikhari Rai and acting ward chair Tufail Akhtar Thakurai of Ward No. 3 in Birgunj.
Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs inquiry committee have also been implicated, including then coordinator and under-secretary Pushkar Rana, and section officer Parashuram Pokharel.
The CIAA stated that Mayor Singh is charged as an accomplice under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059 BS, and is being sought for punishment equivalent to the principal offenders due to his alleged role in facilitating the offence.
Earlier, Singh was released on bail by the Special Court Nepal following his arrest in connection with the case.
The court ordered bail of Rs 400,000 for forgery-related charges and Rs 15,000 for submitting false information to obtain citizenship.
