The Corruption Investigation Authority (CIAA) received a tip that the written‑exam arm of the licensing system was being weaponised for profit. According to the commission’s statement, a network of middlemen was approaching candidates who had flunked the license written exam and offering to re‑register them for a fee. That matters because it undermines the merit‑based premise of driver licensing. The CIAA’s response was swift: a team descended on the Transport Office Chabahil early on Tuesday, armed with search warrants and a clear mandate to seize any evidence of wrongdoing.
The raid was not a random act; it was the culmination of a months‑long investigation that traced money trails, phone records, and suspicious paperwork. The commission’s own briefing noted that the operation was triggered after a whistle‑blower disclosed that the office chief and several clerks were collecting cash ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 rupees per applicant. That allegation alone was enough to justify a full‑scale sweep. This changes things for anyone who thought the licensing process was insulated from graft.
The most senior figure caught in the net was Peshal Kumar Pokharel, the office chief of the Transport Office Chabahil. Alongside him, 17 staff members were detained for questioning, and a total of 25 mobile phones were confiscated from their desks, lockers, and personal bags. The CIAA also reached beyond the transport office, seizing 3 phones from the Ramshahpath Traffic Police Office in Kathmandu, belonging to Police Assistant Inspector Dorhari Nepal and two other officers who were on duty at the time of the raid.
Further afield, the commission recovered a single device from Balakrishna Singh, the manager of the Nepal Driving & Recognition Centre, and seven other individuals linked to that centre. All of these devices are now in the hands of investigators, who will likely run forensic analyses to map calls, messages, and transaction records. The breadth of the seizure suggests a coordinated effort rather than isolated misconduct, a point that will echo in any future legal proceedings.
According to the commission’s findings, the scheme hinged on a simple premise: candidates who failed the written exam were given a second chance only if they paid a go‑between. The middlemen would approach the failed applicant, promise a fast‑track re‑registration, and collect 5,000 to 10,000 rupees per person. Once the money changed hands, the office staff would file a fresh application on the candidate’s behalf, effectively bypassing the three‑month cooling‑off period mandated by law.
The CIAA’s press release emphasised that the practice not only robbed the state of revenue but also jeopardised road safety. An unqualified driver who sidestepped the rigorous testing process could end up behind the wheel, endangering pedestrians and fellow motorists. This matters because the integrity of the licensing system is a cornerstone of traffic management in Kathmandu and the wider nation.
Beyond the phones, investigators recovered answer sheets, application forms, and other documentation belonging to candidates who had failed the exam and then re‑appeared for a retest before the three‑month interval elapsed. The physical evidence paints a clear picture of procedural abuse: the same answer sheets were being used to validate multiple attempts, a clear violation of the licensing regulations.
The seized materials will likely be examined for fingerprints, ink‑jet patterns, and any hidden annotations that could prove tampering. If the forensic review confirms that the office staff altered records, the legal fallout could include charges of fraud, abuse of authority, and corruption. This changes things for the broader civil service, signalling that no department is immune to scrutiny.
The raid sends a powerful signal to both public officials and private actors: the CIAA is willing to intervene when the public interest is at stake. In the short term, the Transport Office Chabahil may see a temporary suspension of its licensing operations while the investigation proceeds. In the longer view, the episode could catalyse a review of how written exams are administered across the country, prompting the adoption of digital testing platforms or third‑party auditors.
Stakeholders—students, driving schools, and transport companies—should brace for tighter controls and perhaps a more transparent fee structure. The ripple effect may also encourage other ministries to audit their own processes, a development that could raise overall governance standards. This matters because a cleaner licensing system ultimately translates into safer roads and greater public confidence.
Q: How many mobile phones were confiscated in total? A: The CIAA seized 25 phones from the Transport Office staff, 3 phones from police officers, and 1 phone from the Nepal Driving & Recognition Centre manager, totaling 29 devices.
Q: What amount of money were the alleged bribes worth per applicant? A: The commission alleges that each failed candidate was asked to pay between 5,000 and 10,000 rupees to secure a re‑exam.
Q: Who was the head of the Transport Office Chabahil during the raid? A: The office chief was Peshal Kumar Pokharel.
Q: Will the licensing exams be suspended while the investigation continues? A: The commission has not announced a full suspension, but temporary delays are possible as evidence is examined.
Q: How does this raid affect the broader fight against corruption in Nepal? A: It demonstrates the CIAA’s willingness to target entrenched networks, signalling a tougher stance that could deter similar schemes in other sectors.
Q: Where can I follow updates on the investigation? A: Official statements will be released on the CIAA website and through major Nepali news outlets.
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