Nepal’s Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a large-scale corruption case involving the Pokhara International Airport project, accusing 55 individuals and one company of inflating project costs and engaging in illicit financial transactions. The accused include five former ministers, ten former secretaries, and senior officials linked to the Chinese-funded infrastructure project. The case, lodged on Sunday, alleges that approximately USD 74.3 million (NPR 8.36 billion) was misappropriated through manipulated cost estimates and irregular tendering processes. According to the CIAA, the project’s approved budget was deliberately revised with “malicious intent,” while Chinese firm China CAMC Engineering is accused of securing undue advantages through secret agreements and flawed feasibility studies. The project, initiated decades ago, has long faced controversy over transparency, political interference, and contract favoritism. This is reportedly the largest corruption case ever submitted to Nepal’s Special Court. Analysts say the case could reshape public trust in foreign-funded infrastructure projects and intensify scrutiny of Chinese involvement in Nepal’s development sector.