KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) said it was committed to investigate into allegations of corruption in the erstwhile Maoist cantonments.

Spokesperson for the CIAA, Ganesh Raj Karki, said the anti-graft body stuck to what it said at a press conference recently about its investigation into the allegation of corruption against Maoist leaders. Karki said the CIAA would collect all the required documents

Karki said the CIAA would collect all the required documents within 30 days and interact with the persons whom the CIAA thinks could help its investigation.

“We want to expedite the investigation; but, at the same time we are also conscious that actions should be in consonance with the legal provisions,” Karki said and added that the CIAA had no prejudice against anybody.

Earlier on September 16, the anti-corruption constitutional body said it had launched a probe into the alleged irregularities in the cantonments during the peace process.

According to the CIAA, it had also summoned some Maoist leaders, who were involved in the  supply  of ration to and management of Maoist cantonments, to “help in the investigation” by presenting themselves to the CIAA within 30 days.

In a meeting of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's party CPN Maoist Centre, Dahal had reportedly said the probe was a plot designed by the CIAA under the influence of CPN-UML to keep in check the CPN-MC and its leaders.

Yesterday, the PM’s Chief Adviser, Chakrapani Khanal, had told The Himalayan Times Prime Minister Dahal informed the party that he had discussed with CIAA Chief Commissioner Lokman Singh Karki why he was raising the matter, as it had already been discussed earlier.

Dahal reminded Karki that the case was directly linked to the peace process and apprised him of possible implications if CIAA proceeded with the probe, according to Khanal.

It is believed that Prime Minister Dahal, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun who was commander of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army, Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Minister Janardan Sharma who was deputy commander of PLA, and Chakrapani Khanal as well as Barshaman Pun who were deputy commanders of PLA are among the high-profile leaders who could be interrogated.