IRC may seek clarification from Karki on charges levelled against him

Kathmandu, January 12

A meeting of the Impeachment Recommendation Committee scheduled for tomorrow will discuss the next course of action on the impeachment motion filed against former chief of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Lokman Singh Karki.

According to a source, the CPN-MC and the CPN-UML are in favour of moving ahead with the investigation process while the Nepali Congress wants to end the process.

Lawmaker Farmullah Mansoor, who represents the Nepali Congress in the IRC, said the panel would discuss the matter taking into account the spirit of the law and the constitution and decide appropriately. He said the panel could even consult lawyers if it deemed necessary.

NC Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha, however, said since Karki had been disqualified by the Supreme Court from holding the post of CIAA chief, there was no justification for initiating impeachment motion against him.

UML Chief Whip Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal said top leaders had not discussed whether or not they should end the matter after the Supreme Court’s verdict, but since Karki was accused of having violated the constitution, the IRC would reach a conclusion on the issue.

According to IRC member Ram Narayan Bidari, the IRC could decide to seek clarification from Karki on the charges levelled against him within seven days.

In case his responses are not satisfactory, the IRC could seek second clarification from Karki, said Bidari. “The committee can further probe charges and record statements of eyewitnesses if it deems necessary,” he added.

According to Bidari, if the IRC came to a conclusion that charges against Karki were not corroborated by evidences, then the committee could submit a report to the Parliament, stating the same. “These are the legal procedures for an impeachment motion but if the political forces decide to drop

the matter after the Supreme Court’s verdict, then the matter will be closed,” Bidari added.

A total of 157 lawmakers from the CPN-UML and the CPN-MC had moved an impeachment motion against Karki, accusing him of exceeding his brief and acting against the constitution.

Lawmaker Keshav Prasad Badal, who represents the CPN-UML in the IRC, said since the impeachment motion was a different matter, the Supreme Court’s recent verdict would not adversely impact the Parliament’s proceedings. “I think the panel will do what it is required to. We have an impeachment motion signed by 25 per cent lawmakers of the House and we should act upon it,” he added.

The SC recently quashed Karki’s appointment as CIAA chief.