February 10: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to suspend Director General of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Prem Nath Thakur.

The ministry took such a decision following a revelation of an audio conversation in which Thakur is heard seeking personal benefits from an airline company.

Joint Secretary Rajendra Kumar KC, who is also the ministry's spokesperson, confirmed that CAAN has been directed to fire Thakur.    
“Thakur has been charged with holding a conversation with Thai Smile Airlines for his personal gains illegally. As per the cabinet decision, CAAN has been asked to suspend Thakur to help investigate the matter,” he said.    
Similarly, the ministry has urged the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to launch further investigations into the matter, added KC.    
Some days ago, the CIAA had arrested Purna Chudal, the TIA chief (domestic terminal) along with a bribe. Thakur’s involvement in seeking personal gains came to the fore after the arrest of Chudal. -- RSS