Audio recording of Minister Baskota bargaining for 700 million bribe leaked (with audio)

KATHMANDU, Feb 20: An audio recording of the conversation between Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Gokul Baskota and a Swiss Company local agent, Bijaya Prakash Mishra, where the minister is heard bargaining for Rs 700 million in bribe over the procurement of security printing press for the government has been leaked.

In the two-and-a-half-minute long audio recording leaked by Hamra Kura, the conversation starts with Mishra telling Baskota the Swiss Embassy representatives will come to the minister’s office at 12 pm on Feb 23 to sign an MoU on the procurement of the security printing press.

Baskota and Mishra are then heard discussing the commission while making the procurement of around Rs 25 or 26 billion.

Mishra then assures the minister of 70 percent share once the deal is done.

The minister is also heard using dirty language during the conversation.