The Special Court has ordered Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Director General Pradeep Adhikari, who is currently suspended for his involvement in the embezzlement of funds, to be sent to judicial custody for the duration of the trial. The court rejected his request to be released by depositing bail money. A joint bench of Special Court judges Hemanta Rawal, Dilliraj Shrestha and Bidur Koirala issued the order, according to Special Court Spokesperson Yagyaraj Regmi. Adhikari’s lawyers had petitioned for his release on bail, which the court declined.
Last week, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case against Adhikari, four other CAAN staff, one company and two of its staff members, claiming a loss of Rs 135.7 million while constructing a heliport in Bhaktapur district.
On Sunday, the CIAA filed another case against Adhikari and 55 others in connection with irregularities at the Pokhara Regional International Airport, demanding compensation of Rs 8.36 billion. However, the Special Court has ordered the release of CAAN director Murari Bhandari on bail of Rs 500,000 in the airport construction corruption case.
