SC convicts suspended NRB governor Bhattarai and executive director Pradhan as corrupted

The Supreme Court today convicted two top officials of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) --governor Bijaya Nath Bhattarai and executive director Surendra Man Pradhan as corrupted in a embezzlement case.

Issuing a verdict in a case filed against Bhattari and Pradhan in connection with their role in embezzling huge amount, a single bench justice Tahir Ali Ansari said they were found guilty in the deal. The verdict said SC found that the duo embezzled 51,732 US Dollars by terminating a contract signed with a joint venture of Lloyd Hill Oakton, USA, in association with KPMG, Sri Lanka. The apex court has also asked them to pay a fine equal to the amount embezzled.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority had filed the case against Bhattaai and Pradhan on June 29, 2007 claiming that they had caused a loss of Rs. 30 million by terminating the contract. The contract was signed on February 6, 2006.

The Special Court had transferred the case to the apex court on February 17 after the Special Court judges could not decide the case.