Transport workers of Bajhang on Wednesday took to the streets against Chief District Officer (CDO) Dharmananda Joshi accusing him of filing a public offence case against a transport entrepreneur on a false charge. The entrepreneurs have said that they will not operate the vehicles until the CDO withdrew the case and release the arrested person. Normal life in the district has been affected due to the vehicular strike. A public office case has been filed against Raju Jagri, transport entrepreneur and owner of the Raju Auto Workshop and Driving Centre, for allegedly hurling verbal abuse toward CDO Joshi over telephone under the influence of alcohol. They staged a demonstration outside the District Administration Office this afternoon demanding action against CDO Joshi. The entrepreneurs have accused CDO Joshi of making a fake VAT bill from the Raju Auto Workshop and Driving Centre without maintenance of the vehicle. They also accused him of asking the workshop to return the money after depositing the fake bill amount in the latter’s account. They said that the dispute arose after the administration said that the vehicle parts mentioned in the bill of Raju Jigri were not available in the workshop and it will return the remaining money only after deducting the VAT amount. A public offence case was filed against Jagri after he refused to return the whole amount demanded by the CDO, the entrepreneurs said. Bajhang Public Transportation Association Chairman Narendra Khadka said, “We won’t tolerate such activities of the CDO. The issue will not be resolved even after withdrawing the case. He should be punished for making the bogus bill.” On the other hand, CDO Joshi said that a public offence case was filed against Jagri after he abused him over telephone while urging him to release his relative who was arrested for disturbing peace in the bazaar area under the influence of alcohol during the first phase of federal parliament and provincial assembly elections. Following the incident, CDO Joshi said that he had instantly written a letter to the District Police Office to arrest Jagri. CDO Joshi said that he had also written a letter to the District Police Office, Dhangadhi, to arrest Jagri from his hideout. He said that the investigation against Jagri was taken ahead after police arrested him from Bajhang on Monday. CDO Joshi claimed that Jagri raised the issue of bill to protect himself from the investigation and all the accusations made against him were false and unreal.