The Hem-Sarita Pathak Foundation has decided to jointly award the ‘Tanka Prasad-Rama Devi Pathak International Journalism Award’ to journalists Matrika Dahal of Kantipur daily and Deepa Dahal of Ukaalo online news site.

In a statement, Radhe Shyam Lekali, chairman of the foundation, said that the award, which carries a purse of Rs200,000, will be handed over to the journalists for uncovering various scandals.

Matrika Dahal has reported on various scams, including the fake Bhutanese refugee case, the Lalita Niwas land grab, the Balmandir land scam, the misuse of cooperative funds, and irregularities in weapon procurement for Nepal Police, among others.

Likewise, journalist Deepa Dahal has been relentlessly reporting on several corruption cases, including the Bal Mandir land scam, the Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory land grab case, and the Tea Development Corporation land case, among others.

The foundation, established in Texas, USA, is active in promoting anti-corruption and good governance.

Both Matrika and Deepa had won the Barbara Foundation Investigative Journalism Award 2024 in May this year. While Matrika was conferred the first prize jointly with journalist Devendra Bhattarai, Deepa had won the second prize.