Three former Inspector Generals of the Armed Police Force, who were summoned at the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority for their alleged involvement in misusing state funds during their time in office, were released on bail on Sunday night. 

They submitted bail amount to the CIAA when they were given options either to post bail amount or be sent to custody after the recording of their statements was not over on the day. 

Following separate interrogations over their involvement in corruption, the CIAA sought Rs80 million from ex-APF chief Sanat Basnet. Basudev Oli and Shailendra Kumar Shrestha were set bail amounts of Rs7 million and Rs10 million respectively. 

Basnet produced a bank guarantee in property worth Rs80 million from Citizens Bank within an hour of being asked to post the bail. Kumari Bank provided a guarantee for Oli. Shrestha had to wait for almost two hours before eventually securing it from Nepal Investment Bank at 7:45pm. 

“They are released on bail. But investigations into their charges are underway,” said CIAA spokesperson Krishna Hari Pushkar. 

All the three have been accused of embezzling millions from state coffers by producing fake bills while supplying goods to the APF units. Several complaints were filed at the CIAA in the past, citing their involvement in wrongdoings. The anti-graft body is pursuing the case seriously after suspended APF chief Kosh Raj Onta categorically pointed out involvement of his predecessors in plundering state coffers on the pretext of supplying goods from the headquarters. Onta, who faces the charge of embezzling at least Rs70 million, is still under CIAA investigation. He was released on Rs100 million bail last week.

Besides, the CIAA is also probing his alleged role in embezzling millions of rupees while purchasing logistics for the paramilitary force and amassing property disproportionate to his legitimate source of income. Oli, Basnet and Shrestha are also accused of misusing state funds while purchasing logistics for the APF. Last week, the CIAA seized all the documents concerning supply and purchase of logistics involving them. 

The CIAA has focused its attention on the police force. A study by the Transparency International has found the institution to be one of the most corrupt in Nepal after it received a large number of charges against top officials. 

Onta is the second chief of police force to be suspended since the 2006 People’s Movement. In June 2011, Nepal Police chief Ramesh Chand Thakuri was removed and dragged to the court on corruption charges. Thakuri was accused of embezzling Rs290 million while buying logistics for Nepali police personnel deployed to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan. 

“The involvement of all former chiefs of APF has made us really concerned. We want to end this investigation in a logical way,” said a CIAA investigator.