RCCC charges former PM Deuba, former ministers
The controversial anti-graft commission on Thursday has formally charged former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and six former ministers in his cabinet of misappropriating funds from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund while they were in office.
An investigation team constituted by the Royal Commission on Corruption Control (RCCC) submitted charges against former premier Deuba and six of his former colleagues before a three-member panel led by chairman of the Commission, Bhakta Bahadur Koirala, himself.
Spokesman of the Commission, Prem Raj Karki, told reporters that the investigation team has demanded jail term of up to three years against all six former ministers as well as former premier Deuba for allegedly distributing over Rs 3.8 million to their cronies from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund during Dashain festival last year. He said the team has also demanded financial penalty equivalent to the sum they have allegedly misappropriated.
Former premier Deuba and his colleagues have defended their move saying that it was provided to needy and victims of the Maoist conflict.
The Commission has also charged 27 people who received money from the Relief Fund.
Six former ministers, including former spokesman of the Deuba administration Dr Mohammed Mohsin, were present during the proceedings Thursday but were released later as they had already deposited their bail.
Former premier Deuba was produced before the Commission but refused to submit the bail amount, reports said. On Wednesday, the Commission had decided to extend the detention of Deuba for another one week as part of investigation and since he had refused to cooperate the investigation procedures, according to reports.
Deuba was taken into custody last week after he refused to appear before the Commission challenging its constitutional status.
His Majesty King Gyanendra had constituted the powerful anti-graft commission after taking over power on February 1. The Commission has been granted sweeping powers to arrest, investigate and punish anybody found guilty on charge of corruption.
Critics say the powers granted to the Commission are simply against the basic tenets of separation of power and rule of law. They say the Commission has been working out of prejudice right from the beginning.
The RCCC officials refute such allegations. nepalnews.com by May 05 05
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