KATHMANDU, Jan 8: The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday concluded that the suspended Chief Commissioner at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Lokman Singh Karki is unfit for the position.

A joint bench of Ishwor Khatiwada, Ananda Mohan Bhattarai and Anil Sinha concluded that Karki’s qualifications don’t meet to be appointed at the Chief of the anti-graft constitutional body in a final verdict today.

 The court annulled the decision of the Constitutional Council to recommend him to the post.Karki had assumed his office on May 8, 2013 for the tenure of six years. He has already served more three years in the office.

The court’s verdict states that Karki doesn’t meet the criteria of a high moral character and a 20 years public service needed to be qualified for the post.

SC also convicted Karki’s son-in-law, Prabal Thapa, Ward Secretary Sarita Rai, ASI Nakul Gautam and SC’s staff Shambhu Khatri for a contempt of court for obstructing the process of delivering the court’s notice on Karki.

The apex court was responding to the writ filed by advocate Om Prakash Aryal.

The Supreme Court on September 17 had decided to revisit its previous verdict on the writ petition challenging Karki's appointment as CIAA chief. Advocate Aryal had filed two writ petitions in May, 2014 -- one demanding a court order to stop the government from appointing Karki as CIAA chief, and a subsequent one demanding annulment of the appointment decision.

The division bench of Justices Gopal Parajuli and Om Prakash Mishra had quashed both the writ petitions on September 24, 2014. Advocate Aryal then filed a review petition, to which the apex court gave its nod.

 
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• lokman singh karki