Financial Crime World

Abuse of Authority and Corruption in Nepal: A Growing Concern

Kathmandu, Nepal - The Central Investigation Authority (CIAA) has been working tirelessly to combat corruption and abuse of authority in Nepal. As the sole body responsible for investigating cases of corruption, the CIAA has been empowered to admonish individuals found guilty of misusing their power, or forward recommendations to relevant authorities for further action.

Challenges in Combating Corruption

Despite these efforts, corruption remains a persistent problem in Nepal. In recent years, there has been an increase in complaints received by the CIAA, with many cases involving high-ranking government officials and bureaucrats.

  • The Special Police Department (SDP) and District Administration Office (DAO) have also been working to combat corruption, with the SDP responsible for investigating cases of corruption in Kathmandu Valley. The DAO, on the other hand, has been delegated some of the CIAA’s powers to investigate cases of corruption within its jurisdiction.
  • Other institutions, such as the Revenue Investigation Department (RID), Narcotic Drug Control Administration Division, and the District Administration Office (DAO), have also been working to combat economic crimes and corruption.

Obstacles in Combatting Corruption

However, these efforts have been hampered by a lack of:

  • Political commitment
  • Transparency in administration
  • Proper education and training for investigators

The legal system in Nepal has been criticized for not differentiating between economic crime and other crimes committed against the State. Gathering evidence in white- collar crimes and determining responsibility is often difficult, making it challenging to prosecute these cases successfully.

Recommendations to Combat Economic Crimes

To combat economic crimes, experts recommend:

  • Establishing a Special Court to deal with these types of cases
  • Shifting the burden of proof in some instances
  • Providing better training and incentives for investigators
  • Promoting public awareness campaigns against economic crime activities

The Importance of Combating Corruption

The struggle against corruption and economic crimes is crucial for Nepal’s development and progress. The country needs to strengthen its institutions, improve its legal framework, and promote transparency and accountability to combat these problems effectively.

Statistics

According to the CIAA, in the fiscal year 1996/97:

  • A total of 534 persons were arrested on charges related to narcotic drugs
    • 534 were foreigners
    • 18 were Nepali nationals
  • The largest quantity of seized narcotics was marijuana, with 2,208 kilograms seized during the same period

Conclusion

The fight against corruption and economic crimes is a continuous struggle that requires sustained efforts from all stakeholders. Nepal needs to strengthen its institutions, improve its legal framework, and promote transparency and accountability to combat these problems effectively. International cooperation and technical support would be highly beneficial in this field.