Kathmandu: Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau has launched a search operation at the government-owned Dairy Development Corporation amid suspicions of financial irregularities and weak internal management.
A team from the bureau carried out a surprise raid at the corporation’s central office in Lainchaur on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into the institution’s financial dealings and operational practices.
According to officials, the investigation team, consisting of around eight to nine personnel, seized mobile phones belonging to five employees. The devices are being examined to investigate possible internal communication, coordination, and suspected collusion linked to the case.
Speaking about the operation, Shyam Sharan Pandey said the phones had been taken for investigative purposes, although he added that he did not have detailed information as he was at the ministry during the raid.
Along with the mobile devices, investigators also collected key documents related to milk procurement and sales, inventory records, and board decision files covering the past three years.
Although the corporation continues to collect milk from farmers and distribute dairy products in the market, it has struggled for months to clear payments owed to dairy farmers. The outstanding dues are estimated at nearly Rs 500 million nationwide.
The worsening financial condition of the corporation, combined with delayed farmer payments, appears to have prompted the investigation. Authorities suspect possible irregularities in milk procurement, sales transactions, and overall financial management.
Sources within the corporation said investigators have particularly sought information on milk purchase rates, sales volumes, inventory conditions, and the details of pending payments owed to farmers.
An official at the corporation said some of the requested documents have already been handed over, while additional files are being prepared for further review by investigators.
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