Legal debate on RCCC meaningless’

Kathmansu, May 24 - Senior lawyers have suggested to the Nepali Congress (Democratic) not to move the court against the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC), claiming that there was no place for any legal and constitutional argument in the present context. "Since it has been formed on unconstitutional grounds but rather with a pre-conceived plan of cracking down on political activists, attempts to defend the leaders through facts, arguments and legal provisions will be futile," said Sambhu Thapa, chairman of Nepal Bar Association, while speaking at a consultative meeting of the party with lawyers.He also suggested the parties to go ahead with political protest programs. "It is completely a political battle, not a legal one," he added.Senior lawyer, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel, suggested the party not to defend the leaders officially but create massive pressure through the press and people to expose the ill-intentions of the government against political activists. "We, lawyers, should not boycott any forums, including the RCCC, but attend them instead and expose their unconstitutionality."Sher Bahadur KC, vice chairman of NBA, however, suggested knocking on the doors of the Supreme Court (SC) with a habeas corpus petition against RCCC's illegal detention of political party leaders. "Legal and constitutional battles at the Court and political battle in the streets should be carried out simultaneously," KC said. "Since the SC has not rejected habeas corpus cases, we can make the appeal." He, however, argued that the legal triumph was completely dependent on the success of the political battle.Former Attorney General, Badri Bahadur Karki, suggested the party make public all facts related to the Melamchi project and also make public opinions against the RCCC action. Former NBA chairman, Radheshyam Adhikari, also termed the RCCC as unconstitutional.(Courtesy : Kantipuronline.com)

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