Nepal's anti-graft body on Sunday filed a corruption case at a special court against 55 people, including five former ministers, accusing them of misusing billions of rupees in the Pokhara International Airport project that was funded by China.

The airport in central Nepal is seen as a key entry point to the well-known Annapurna Circuit, popular among trekkers.

Along with the five former ministers, the charge sheet also lists 10 former secretaries and senior officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has charged 55 people of misusing over Nepali rupees NRs 8.36 billion linked to the construction of the Pokhara International Airport, built with a soft loan from China, said Ganesh Bahadur Adhikari, assistant spokesperson of the CIAA.

The former ministers named in the corruption case include Ram Sharan Mahat, Bhim Prasad Acharya, late Post Bahadur Bogati, Ram Kumar Shrestha and Dipak Chandra Amatya, according to a statement shared by the CIAA.

Former director generals of the CAAN, Tri Ratna Maharjan and Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, along with the current DG Pradeep Adhikari, are also among the 55 people listed in the charge sheet.

The Chinese contractor involved in the project and its representatives in Nepal have also been taken to court.

The airport was built by China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd.

The Pokhara International Airport began operations in January 2023, but it has still not received any scheduled international passenger flights, The Kathmandu Post said.