Corruption Case Filed Over Hospital Construction in Dhanusha Involving 15 People

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against 15 individuals, including a current provincial assembly member from Madhesh Province, over irregularities in a hospital construction project.

Dipendra Kumar Thakur, now a lawmaker, was the managing director of the Lumbini/D&N joint venture and D&N Builders Pvt. Ltd. during the time of the project. Along with him, Bishnu Prasad Sharma, former head of Lumbini Builders Pvt. Ltd., is also facing charges.

The case involves the construction of a 15-bed hospital in Aurahi Rural Municipality-2, Dhanusha, under the Integrated Health Infrastructure Development Programme for the fiscal year 2020/21. The estimated cost of the project was around Rs. 244.3 million.

According to the CIAA, corruption started early in the process. The deadline for submitting bids was extended and the rules were changed to benefit a few selected companies. Bidders who offered lower prices were unfairly disqualified, and the contract was given to a company with a much higher offer.

The anti-graft body says that these last-minute changes in criteria were made on purpose to reduce competition. As a result, the government reportedly lost around Rs. 67.9 million.

Others named in the case include former local officials from Aurahi Rural Municipality, the then-chair Brahmadev Yadav, vice-chair Mira Devi Sahani, and chief administrative officer Subodh Kumar Thakur. Several members of the bid evaluation committee are also accused.

CIAA spokesperson Yagya Raj Regmi said the case has been filed at the Special Court under the Corruption Prevention Act, and legal action has been demanded against all those involved.