Kathmandu, August 1
Nepali Congress leader Dhan Raj Gurung made it clear on Monday that lawmakers like him are serious about bringing Lok Man Singh Karki, Chief Commissioner at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, to justice.
Gurung said: He (Karki) faces serious charges and this issue is very important for the country and the people. After the formation of a new government, 596 lawmakers will hold discussions on what to do with the issue. After discussions, we will bring the facts to the fore, go for formation of a parliamentary investigation committee and may even seek his impeachment.
Gurung, speaking at a face-to-face that Reporters’ Club had organised, said: The issue we have raised and the proposal (of public importance) that we have tabled in the Parliament about this are in the interest of the people.
Gurung said they raised the issue after widespread complaints about Karki’s controversial acts.
Dhan Raj Gurung: After parliamentary discussions on Lok Man Singh Karki’s acts, we will bring the facts to fore, go for formation of a parliamentary probe panel and may even seek his impeachment.
He pointed that there were a lot of questions regarding the jurisdiction of CIAA chief Karki because authorities had not bothered to probe the matter despite audio-visual proof of controversial roles that Karki played in Kathmandu University’s medical entrance tests, Gokarna Resort’s share dispute and a gold scam.
CPN-UML leader and lawmaker Rabindra Adhikari said the Parliament will convene discussions on the proposal. Adhikari said his party will also take part in the exercise.
There’s no question of our party not participating in discussions on the proposal of public importance, Adhikari said, adding: The discussions will continue and I hope this exercise will prove path-breaking.
He added that officials cannot take the Parliament for a ride just because they have done a few good things.
Rabindra Adhikari: Indeed, we should make CIAA stronger. This does not mean making Lok Man stronger.
He said: Indeed, we should make CIAA stronger. This does not mean making Lok Man stronger.
Constitutional bodies should not cross their limits, Adhikari said, adding: They should present themselves and answer questions when the Parliament and parliamentary committees summon them. In the name of illness, they should not ignore the summonses. How can we regard them as responsible authorities if they do not respond to our summonses?
Adhikari said the proposal of public importance was filed because CIAA chief acted beyond his jurisdiction and this gave rise to a number of questions regarding his role.
If the Parliament is dissatisfied with Karki’s response and it is proved that he had violated the Constitution, we will form an investigation committee and take adequate decisions, Adhikari said.
Prabhu Sah, leader of the CPN-Maoist Centre, however, claimed that filing an impeachment motion against CIAA chief is impossible.
Prabhu Sah: Filing an impeachment motion against CIAA chief is impossible
He said: The proposal tabled in the Parliament is not something meant to make way for an impeachment motion. It is a proposal meant to draw House’s attention towards (Karki’s acts).
“There’s a need to further strengthen the CIAA. We should ask it to mend ways if it has made mistakes.”
