Despite cases being filed against three individuals, including former Civil Aviation Authority Director General Pradeep Adhikari, over certain allegations, more than half a dozen others have been exonerated under the pretext of further investigation and evidence gathering. No cases have been registered against contractors and associates closely linked to Adhikari, such as contractor Nabinraj Basnet, journalist Pramod Sedhain, and Indian tantric Jagadamba Guru. Adhikari had given NPR 20 million to Prakash Pathak, who threatened the head of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). Criminal charges have been filed against Adhikari and some others in this regard. (30 Baishakh, Kathmandu)
More than six individuals involved in the offenses committed by Pradeep Adhikari, the former Director General (DG) of the Civil Aviation Authority, have been acquitted in the name of additional investigation and evidence. Based on the investigation report by the District Police Office, Kathmandu, cases were filed on Tuesday against three individuals including Adhikari, but no cases have been registered against contractors, intermediaries, or self-proclaimed human rights activists directly linked to him. No cases have been filed against contractor Nabinraj Basnet, alleged human rights activist Arjun Shahi, journalist Pramod Sedhain, Indian tantric known as Jagadamba Guru (Saraya Kinnera), Ravi Singhal—who took NPR 500,000 from Adhikari—bank employee Jenu Thapa, or CEN employee Chandamala Shrestha who worked under Adhikari.
In a press release issued by DSP Kaushalkumar Budhathoki of the District Police Office, it was stated, “If someone’s involvement and proof in the case are established, a supplementary investigation report will be submitted according to Section 35 of the National Penal Code.” In this case, it was confirmed through their conversations that Ravi Singhal had taken NPR 500,000 from Adhikari to arrange a compromise and halt the investigation on behalf of Adhikari.
