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IRD chief unable to furnish bail

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IRD chief unable to furnish bail
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June 30: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has demanded a bail amount of Rs 3 billion from Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) Director General Chudamani Sharma. According to informed sources, Sharma is unlikely to furnish the bail amount. Sharma is currently under CIAA custody. He was arrested on June 2 for his alleged involvement in abetting various institutions and individuals in avoiding taxes.

CIAA Spokesperson Jeevraj Koirala said that the anti-graft body is preparing to investigate more than 1,000 files related to Sharma. According to him, the CIAA has already studied 125 files after the arrest of Sharma about a month ago. Sources at the CIAA informed that they found irregularities worth Rs 9 billion after studying those files. Investigations carried out so far have revealed Sharma’s involvement in helping various people illegally avoid Rs 9 billion in taxes but the sources said the total embezzled amount cannot be ascertained without the completion of the investigations.

Sources said that the CIAA sought bail from Sharma since it would take quite some time for studying all the files.

“Although we have asked for the bail, Sharma hasn’t been able to submit the amount.  He could have stayed away from the cell as long as the investigations are underway,” said one of the sources.

Although other government employees at the IRD used to be transferred to various departments from time to time, Sharma had remained the director general of the office for a long period. He has been accused of soliciting support from power centers to remain in the post. Few years ago, the government had formed a tax clearance commission. Sharma was the member secretary of the commission while Lumba Dhwoj Mahat was the coordinator and Umesh Dhakal a member. The CIAA has publicly announced incentives for anyone who gives information regarding the whereabouts of Mahat and Dhakal.

There is a legal provision for the CIAA to keep anyone accused of corruption in prison for six months. However, the CIAA needs to take permission from the Special Court for that purpose. The anti-graft body also has to seek renewal order every month from the Special Court. 

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