Kathmandu, August 20
The Department of Money Laundering Investigation has launched an investigation into contractor Nabin Raj Basnet, who was linked to former Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Director General Pradeep Adhikari.
The development comes after the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption and money laundering case against Adhikari at the Special Court.
Although Basnet’s name was linked to the case, the CIAA did not file a case against him. Sources at the anti-graft body said it had instead recommended that the Department of Money Laundering Investigation examine Basnet’s assets.
The department has now begun collecting documents and information related to Basnet’s assets.
“We have started the investigation. We have asked various agencies to provide documents related to his assets. A detailed investigation will be carried out after all the information is received,” a department source said.
The department is examining the assets of Basnet, his family members and business partners. According to officials, investigators have found substantial landholdings in different parts of the Kathmandu Valley.
Basnet, who is reportedly from a modest economic background, is now involved in several businesses. Companies linked to him and his family include Sandharbhik Nirman Sewa Pvt Ltd, Nil David International Unisex Salon, Kshamadevi Construction Solution Pvt Ltd, Dream Town Developers Pvt Ltd, Kshamadevi Interior and Kshamadevi International Pvt Ltd.
Officials are examining properties held in the names of family members, relatives and business partners to determine their sources.
Preliminary investigation has found that Basnet and partners of Dream Town Developers purchased and planned around 72 ropanis of land in Duwakot, Bhaktapur, according to an official involved in the investigation.
Investigators are also examining large landholdings in Sinamangal, Duwakot, Jorpati, Koteshwor, Thimi and Balkot that are registered in the names of different individuals.
“Land appears to have been registered in the names of his partners and relatives rather than in Basnet’s own name. If the source of the assets cannot be established, all those involved will come under investigation,” the official told Onlinekhabar.
The department said it has previously pursued major money laundering cases involving multiple individuals and is continuing to investigate cases involving substantial assets.
Basnet had also been investigated previously in connection with an incident involving former CAAN chief Adhikari and others. Kathmandu District Police had investigated allegations that Adhikari and others threatened senior officials, including the CIAA chief.
Basnet’s connection to that incident had emerged during the investigation, but no case was filed against him at the time as authorities said further investigation was required.
The authorities had stated that if evidence later established the involvement of individuals not included in the initial case, a separate investigation report would be submitted under Section 35 of the Criminal Code.
Basnet had also secured a contract around three years ago for construction work on the taxiway and apron at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. The contract was awarded to Ashish-Kshamadevi-Buddha Himalaya JV, with Basnet associated with Kshamadevi at the time.
