Kathmandu, April 15 -- I have just finished reading the recently published Cuckooland: Where the Rich Own the Truth, by Tom Burgis that was recently reviewed in this paper, and examines the phenomenon of corruption across several continents, and the career of powerbroker Mohamed Amersi.

In the Nepal section, the focus is on Amersi's links with prominent Nepali 'businessman' Ajeya Sumargi, the activities of the Nordic telecommunications giant TeliaSonera and its Nepali network Ncell, and Amersi's relationship first with the royal family and after 2006, with certain prominent politicians, including the Maoist leader formerly known as 'Prachanda'.

It is well recognised in Nepal that corruption in high places is one of the major features of...