KATHMANDU: A full bench at the Supreme Court on Tuesday began the final hearing on a habeas corpus petition filed against the detention of suspended Inland and Revenue Department Director General Chudamani Sharma by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

A full bench of justices Deepak Raj Joshee, Deepak Kumar Karki, Kedar Prasad Chalishe, Sharada Prasad Ghimire and Anil Kumar Sinha heard the petition filed by Sharma’s wife Kalpana Upreti, demanding release of her husband arguing that his detention was illegal and motivated by the CIAA's mala fide intention. It is likely that the bench would issue a verdict later today.

Earlier, a division bench of justices had stated that interpretation of certain provisions of the Tax Settlement Commission Act, CIAA Act and Prevention of Corruption Act needed to be interpreted by a full bench.

The bench had also ordered the Special Court to ‘maintain a status quo’ in the corruption case filed against Sharma, referring the petition to the full bench.

The anti-graft body has already filed charge-sheets against Sharma and the controversial TSC’s two office bearers – Chairman Lumbadhwaj Mahat and member Umesh Dhakal on July 16 at the Special Court, accusing them of embezzling Rs 10.2 billion while working as office bearers of the TSC.

Sharma is now at CIAA’s custody while Mahat and Dhakal still remain at large.