After an audio clip allegedly involving him in a bribery deal worth Rs 7.8 million was made public, Rajkumar Gupta resigned as minister for federal affairs and general administration on Tuesday.
The audio clip purportedly captures Gupta negotiating a Rs 2.5 million bribe to appoint the chair of the Land Commission in Kaski and an additional Rs 5.3 million bribe to halt the transfer of the then-chief of the Land Revenue Office, Kaski.
However, various aspects of the case continue to surface.
Despite Gupta’s resignation, there are ongoing demands for his arrest and investigation.
Meanwhile, an employee of the ministry who spoke to Setopati revealed details of a discussion Gupta held in the ministry two months ago.
According to the employee, Gupta, in the presence of the secretary and two joint secretaries, said that his daily expenses amounted to over Rs 150,000 and that this money needed to be "managed."
"About two months ago, Minister Gupta told the secretary and two under-secretaries in the ministry, 'My daily kitchen expenses alone exceed Rs 150,000. Since I’m in politics, people keep coming to meet me. How am I supposed to arrange this much money? It needs to be arranged!” the employee disclosed.
Gupta pressured officials to arrange unauthorized funds to cover his expenses, the employee said.
Setopati repeatedly sought Gupta’s response through phone calls and written questions, but he refused to comment.
