Sunday, August 28, 2005

Writ challenges RCCC verdict against Deuba, Singh

Kathmandu Aug 28-A writ petition was filed at the Supreme Court Sunday on behalf of former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba and former minister Prakash Man Singh, challenging the verdict of the Royal Commission for Control of Corruption (RCCC) that slapped them two-year jail term and Rs 90 million fine each.

Almost one month after the commission convicted them for corruption in Melamchi Drinking Water Project, Deuba and Singh have appealed to the apex court against the RCCC verdict. They have also challenged the constitutionality of the commission.

According to their lawyer, Prakash Raut, the detained leaders filed appeals in the apex court through jail administration. The jail administration forwarded their documents to the apex court and apex court registered their appeals shortly before the office time ended today.

Writ petition was brought to the apex court demanding that the ‘unjustifiable’ verdict of the ‘unconstitutional royal commission’ be nullified.The RCCC had on July 26 announced its sentence against Deuba, Singh and four others convicting them for corruption in the selection of the construction contractor of the access road of the multi-billion rupees Melamchi Drinking Water Project.
“We are not ready to recognise the RCCC as a court and the verdicts passed by it,” they claimed in the appeals.
The leaders also claimed that the formation of the RCCC and its extension as per the Article 127 of the Constitution was unconstitutional. They also claimed that neither the Constitution authorised the King to from such a commission as per Article 115 (7) nor can its tenure be extended as per the Article 127.
The constitution does not authorise any body to exercise the rights to investigate, prosecute and decide on any matter, they have said in the appeals.
Deuba and Singh, who have dubbed the RCCC verdict as being politically motivated, are currently facing detention.

No comments: