Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Chief Kosh Raj Onta, who is under CIAA scanner over corruption charges, resigned from his position on Friday.

He submitted his resignation to Secretary at Home Ministry Narayan Gopal Malegu before the government officially announced his suspension, an official at the Ministry said.

A Cabinet meeting is making preparation to suspend him a day after the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) recommended the government suspend him for his alleged involvement in corruption. 

The Home Ministry official said Onta’s resignation could be a face-saving bid instead of being sacked over corruption scandal. 

The CIAA on Thursday demanded the government suspend him to facilitate the investigation of corruption charges against him. 

Along with Inspector General Onta, the anti-graft body had also asked the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office to suspend Deputy Superintendents of Police Suman Jung Thapa and Ram Krishna Maharjan and Inspector Bin Bahadur Thapa immediately from their positions.

The CIAA is preparing to file a corruption case against Onta and other accused paramilitary officials at the Special Court soon.

A preliminary probe found Onta’s role in pocketing millions of rupees in collusion with junior officers and the supplier, the CIAA said in a statement on Thursday.