Kathmandu, Ashoj 22 - Nepal's Department of Money Laundering Investigation has broadened its investigation into the case of former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, taking a look at several people and contacts involved in it as well as a larger probe into legal and financial issues.
As part of the inquiry, officials searched the residence of Rana’s brother, Prabhu Shumsher Rana, as well as the homes of former High Court judges Nawaraj Thapaliya and Dipak Timilsina, and another individual named Nabin Raj Basnet. Documents and electronic devices were recovered at the searches.
According to the investigators, the investigation was extended after questioning and phone analyzes of Inam Sapkota, who is believed to have been a middleman for people in touch with Rana and those seeking legal aid. On September 30, Sapkota was arrested at the Tribhuvan International Airport as she was heading to New Delhi and is also under investigation by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation.
The investigation is also looking into the matters involving businessman Deepak Bhatta who is facing charges of money laundering and banking offences besides corruption. Police are investigating if anyone tried to manipulate the court's proceedings on his detention, after he was remanded in custody by the Special Court and then remanded by the Patan High Court.
The inquiry has also involved Armed Police Force Additional Inspector General Banshiraj Dahal, who was suspended after allegedly making an unauthorized visit to Rana when the former CJ was being arrested at a police office. The Home Ministry cited allegations related to the handling of sensitive security information and official conduct, adding that a separate committee has been set up to look into the issue.
The investigation into Sapkota's contact and communications on his cellphone is underway to see if any confidential information was transmitted wrongly and if official contacts were misused. Authorities have said that simply because someone has contacted someone doesn't mean there's been wrongdoing, and that the investigation will find out the truth. The inquiry has consequently broadened to include questions concerning judicial procedures, official conduct, access to senior officials and the handling of confidential information. The investigation is continuing and a final finding of criminal responsibility has not been reached against the persons being studied.
Source: The Kathmandu Post
