In an incident that sheds new light on the modes of corruption, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has been offered a bribe of Rs one million for settling a case related to irregularities in a school. 

Kathmandu's Jorpati-based Buddha Academy Boarding Secondary School's proprietor offered the bribe money to two CIAA officials, who were conducting investigation into the school's irregularities, sources said. 

School management committee's Sonam Chiring Sherpa and Sonam Wangchen Sherpa were caught red-handed offering the bribe money. They are father and son in relation.

They reached Red Carpet restaurant in Sherpa mall to offer a sum of Rs 10,00,000 to investigating officer DSP Ravi Raj Khadka and Deputy Secretary Hari Babu Pokhrel. Another accused Narbahadur Budhathoki, who was former chairman of the school management committee, is at large. 

According to DSP Khadka, a case was lodged against the committee for misappropriating more than Rs 20 million. The school is run with the fund provided by donors. 

The investigating officers were repeatedly offered bribes during the investigation that has been going on for two months now. "If you wish, you can settle the case," said DSP Khadka, recalling the offer for the bribe. 

The school operations were halted after the applications submitted at the CIAA and District Education Office went unheard. There are 450 students in the school.

The school is operated by Akhil Nepal Mountain Buddhist Association since 1990. The classes of the school were hampered after Sonam Wangchen Sherpa took the charge as the committee's chairman. 

Parents and stakeholders had picketed the CIAA office with proof of misapplication of funds at the school before the anti-graft body swung into action.