KATHMANDU, April 28: Responding to the Supreme Court (SC)´s order to furnish clarification in writing over his proposed appointment as the chief of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), former chief secretary Lokman Singh Karki has claimed that he is eligible for the post.
In his written clarification to the apex court on Sunday, Karki has claimed that no legitimate body has found him guilty of any criminal activity. He also urged SC to scrap the writ petition accusing the petitioner of character assassination. [break]
Questioning the legal status of the report submitted by the Rayamajhi Commission, he has maintained that the facts mentioned in the report have not been proven. Karki has maintained that dozens of police and army personnel and other civil servants, who were found guilty by the Rayamajhi Commission, have been promoted and have retired after promotion.
Also, Karki has stated that he has been receiving pension from the government after retirement from civil service.
A single bench of Justice Sushila Karki on March 22 had ordered the government to halt the appointment process stating that the Interim Election Council, which has been formed to hold fresh election, cannot take decision on issues that may have long-term effects.
Advocate Om Prakash Aryal on March 20 had moved the apex court challenging the government´s preparations to appoint Karki as the chief of the anti-corruption body.
In the petition, Aryal has stated that the recommendation of the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) to appoint Karki as the head of the CIAA is against constitutional provisions and the spirit of the people´s movement, rule of law, good governance, transparency, accountability and the principle of constitutional checks and balances.
The writ petitioner has claimed that Karki is not eligible for the post as he was involved in suppression of the April 2006 uprising.
The Office of the President, Chairman of Interim Election Council Khil Raj Regmi and his office, Constitutional Council, CIAA, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Karki have been made defendants in the writ petition.
Meanwhile, SC is scheduled to conduct the next hearing on the case on Monday as advocates are yet to plead on behalf of the defendants.
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