Kathmandu — Nepali Congress lawmaker and former Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, appeared before the Special Court on Sunday in connection with a high-profile corruption case involving the procurement of the ‘Telecommunication Traffic Monitoring and Fraud Control System’ (Teramox).
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the case on May 15 (Jestha 1), accusing Basnet and 15 others of irregularities during the procurement process conducted by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). The CIAA has claimed a financial loss of NPR 3.21 billion (Rs. 3,21,83,77,182) in the deal.
Basnet is currently recording his statement before a bench comprising Judges Tej Narayan Singh Rai, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Vidur Koirala. Following the statement, a detention hearing will decide whether he will be remanded in custody, released on bail, or allowed to go free on bond.
According to the CIAA, Basnet—while serving as minister—instructed the procurement of the Teramox system without a feasibility study and in violation of procurement regulations. He is accused of abusing his authority by bypassing legal procedures.
Following the filing of the case, Basnet was automatically suspended from his position as a Member of Parliament.
