Narayan Manandhar
Sometime in 2008, a person came to see me at my office. I have forgotten the exact date. At that time, I was working for a donor agency, supporting the anti-corruption component of their program. The person who visited me was particularly interested in knowing what my work involved and, indirectly, about the inner workings of the CIAA. I offered him a cup of coffee, and we chatted for about 45 minutes, or perhaps an hour.
Earlier, I had been positioned as a project advisor implementing donor support for the constitutional anti-graft agency. My involvement was strictly in a staff function, with nothing to do with their line operations; therefore, I had very little knowledge or information about their inner workings.
Prior to our meeting, I had gathered that my visitor had a pending corruption case in court, so I was very much aware of his underlying interest. I don’t exactly remember the details of his case. It must have been related to a “fake certificate,” “age tampering,” or “some procurement issues” concerning the Baidya Khana located on the north side of Singha Durbar. While I cannot recall the exact charges, I do remember that he was an Ayurvedic doctor and the Chief of that Baidya Khana. I must add here that I read much later—definitely in the Kantipur daily—that he had won his court case. But when he visited me, his case was very much active and pending in court. I could only imagine that the trial, coupled with his job suspension, must have brought disrepute, as well as psychological and financial stress, to his family.
The person who came to see me was the late Dr. Ram Narayan Shah (or Sah?). I remember visiting his house somewhere down a left turn next to a gas station on the road from Tinkune to the Airport. It was a newly built, modest house—nothing too lavish.
I suppose some readers might know the person I am talking about. He is no longer with us. I wish he were still here so I could recall the chat we had, and more specifically, ask him what his case was truly about. If readers find this account interesting, I will share more in the coming days.
