KATHMANDU, Sept 21: Patan High Court has summoned the government over a writ petition demanding the arrest of the sacked managing director of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), Gopal Khadka.
A single bench of judge Ananta Raj Dumre has summoned the government representatives on October 11 after hearing the writ petition filed by advocate Yagya Mani Neupane. While maintaining that the dismissal from the job alone would only help promote his corruption activities, the writ petition has demanded immediate arrest of Khadka and action against him.
Writ petition filed against Rabi Lamichhane
Although Khadka was dismissed through the cabinet meeting on Monday on the proposal of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, the government remains mum over further action against Khadka for his involvement in corruption in the NOC land buy.
The writ has made Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Home Ministry, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and Nepal Oil Corporation as defendants.
Pleading on behalf of the writ petition, advocates Neupane and Gobinda Bhattarai had argued that irregularities will be legitimatized, evidence necessary for investigation will be lost and illegal activities will be encouraged if action against Khadka is not taken as per the clause 15 and 16 of CIAA Act 2048 BS.
The advocate duo also argued that those involved in corruption could flee the country and transfer the money earned illegally to other countries if the arrest is not made.
