KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Friday said it has launched a probe into the alleged irregularities in Maoist cantonments during the peace process.

Organising a press conference at the CIAA office in Tangal today, the anti-corruption constitutional body's spokesperson Joint-Secretary Ganesh Raj Karki said the probe would conclude as soon as possible as it was a matter of public concern.

According to the CIAA, it has 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.

The CIAA said it had received plethora of complaints on financial irregularities in the cantonments that housed the former rebels during the peace process. 

Karki, however, did not reveal any name. It has been suspected that list primarily includes senior Maoist leaders.

It is believed that Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is now the country's Prime Minister; former commander of the Maoist party's People's Liberation Army Nanda Bahadur Pun, who is now the Vice President;  Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is now Deputy Prime Minister; former deputy commander of PLA Janardan Sharma,  who is now Energy Minister; former deputy commander of PLA Chakrapani Khanal, who is now the PM's chief political advisor, and former deputy commander of PLA Barshaman Pun are among the high-profile leaders who could be interrogated.

It is interesting to note that the anti-corruption constitutional body called a press conference in a rush after the Supreme Court decided to reopen a case filed against the appointment of CIAA Chief Lok Man Singh Karki.

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