More reaction on RCCC decision

Kathmandu Feb 14-Welcoming the SC decision, both Deuba and Singh said that they would be active in the days ahead to make the seven-party alliance’s movement against the King’s move a success.

“The verdict (SC’s) has shown that truth will win in the end, no matter how late it comes,” said Singh.

Commenting on the verdict, President of Nepal Bar Association Shambhu Thapa and its former president Harihar Dahal said it upheld the rule of law in the country.

President of the Nepal Bar Association, the umbrella organization of professional lawyers, Sambhu Thapa said the SC decision shows that nobody is outside the constitution.

“The verdict has opened the doors for the rule of law which has come under constant attack time and again,” Thapa added.

Earlier, after the verdict, police barred Deuba’s lawyer Shree Hari Aryal from meeting the former PM. “This is a sheer violation of the SC order and Deuba’s right to consult his counsel,” Aryal had said.
The disbanded RCCC chairman, Bhakta Bahadur Koirala, said the verdict is acceptable to them. However, Attorney General, Laxmi Bahadur Nirala, said he has not yet received the text of the judgment. “We will decide what should be done next only after receiving the text,” he said.“This (verdict) is laudable,” the detained Deuba was earlier today quoted as saying by NC(D) leaders. Deuba also termed the dissolution as “beyond his expectation.”Leaders of the seven-party alliance welcomed the Supreme Court's order for the dissolution of the controversial Royal Commission on Corruption Control (RCCC), saying the verdict has reinforced the judiciary's independence.

"The apex court has established that the Court can question any autocratic actions taken by the king that goes against the letter and spirit of the constitution," Nepali Congress Central Working Committee member Arjun Narsingh KC said.

KC also said the Court decision has broken the backbone of the present regime, which was using the RCCC as a tool to demoralize democratic leaders and crack down on the democratic movement. "The court decision has spread the message among the people that supremacy of constitution and rule of law still exists in Nepal if the court takes the initiative."

Meanwhile, CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said the SC decision proves that “the government’s every action is unconstitutional.”

NC (D) leader Homnath Dahal said the King had already lost politically with the municipal poll farce. Following the dissolution of the RCCC, he has lost constitutionally as well, he added.

Similarly, Pradip Nepal, spokesperson of CPN-UML said the court has proved that the commission was unconstitutional, which was already dubbed so by civil society, international community and political parties since the very day of its formation. "Now the present rulers must refund the money misused by the RCCC to the state coffers." He said the verdict has helped the ongoing movement aimed at establishing rule of law in the country.

RPP Chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana said, "The court has maintained its independence and we respect and honor the decision."

Lilamani Pokhrel of People's Front Nepal said the verdict has proved that whatever the king was doing was unconstitutional and against public interest. "The court has worked towards safeguarding people's rights but several political issues are yet to be addressed,' he added.