Dr Govinda KC vs CJ Gopal Parajuli

Dr Govinda KC vs CJ Gopal Parajuli

Siddhi B Ranjitkar

Dr KC is fighting for justice, rule of law, and putting an end to corruption. 

Probably, Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli must have been caught off guard by the support Dr Govinda KC received from the politicians, and Nepal Medical Association (NMA) after Dr KC got arrested for the contempt of court on January 8, 2018. Whether Dr KC’s demand for improving the medical administration is logical or not has been a secondary matter after Dr KC sat for fast-unto-death demanding the probe on the chief justice and his removable from the honorable position of Chief Justice. Reinstating the fired Dean Dr Shashi Sharma at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) after four years has stirred up a hornet's nest of Dr KC even bringing up various other issues of Chief Justice. Certainly, for Dr KC determined to fight to finish even sacrificing his life has nothing to fear. Probably, for him, it does not matter whether he stays in jail or at the hospital; he said that he would continue his fast unto death until the concerned agencies met his demands.

On January 12, 2018, speaking to the anchor of the Radio Nepal morning program “antar-sambad”, chairman of Transparency International also a senior advocate Shree Hari Aryal said that Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli needed to step aside and let the court work impartially on the allegations Dr KC made against him without prejudice; Aryal labeled Dr KC “a grandfather” that had pointed out the irregularities in the court when the advocates did not dare to do so. Concerning the question about the demand of Dr KC for resignation of CJ Parajuli, and retired Supreme Court Justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi stating the call for the resignation of CJ Parajuli from the outsider was not logical, Aryal said that it was correct to say so but the irregularities in the court have reached such an extent somebody has to urgently pointed it out; that is what Dr KC did. Aryal also said that judiciary is one of the pillars of our republic if it is weak then the republic would have a difficulty standing on it; so, the judiciary should be strong enough to support the republic.

Lawyers have different opinions of whether Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli should quit office on the moral ground after a division bench of the Supreme Court ordered to probe into his two citizenship certificates, educational certificates and the Judicial Council’s decision on his age controversy, the news on thttps://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/lawyers-divided-whether-cj-quit/ stated on January 12, 2018.

“Secretary of High Court Bar Association, Patan, Tara Kumar Shrestha said CJ   Parajuli faced moral questions after a division bench of the Supreme Court ordered yesterday to investigate allegations of forgery against CJ Parajuli and sought to verify genuineness of his educational certificates, the news stated.

“It is up to Parajuli now to resign on moral grounds,” said Shrestha, adding, “If the head of an organization who has been accused of wrongdoing is allowed to continue her/his job, s/he can interfere with the investigation.” He said the allegation of wrongdoing against CJ Parajuli was made in a sub judice case and hence, it should be dealt with seriously, the news stated.

“Chief Justice Parajuli faces the question of morality now after the Supreme Court ordered an investigation against him,” Advocate Om Prakash Aryal said; and he added that if CJ Parajuli continued to remain in office, it would be a case of conflict of interest and it would also violate the principle of natural justice, the news stated.

General Secretary of Nepal Bar Association Khamma Bahadur Khati, Senior Advocate Mithilesh Kumar Singh and Secretary of Supreme Court Bar Association Bishnu Luitel have different opinion of whether CJ Parajuli should quit office or not, the news stated.

Khati said CJ could be removed only through the impeachment process. “As far as I know, the division bench might have intended to see his citizenship and educational certificates. The Supreme Court has no authority to investigate against CJ. There are other agencies which can investigate such allegations,” Khati argued. He said the NBA would discuss the matter tomorrow and come up with its stance on the case, the news stated.

Senior Advocate Singh said if anybody who had question about the CJ’s citizenship certificate and his academic qualifications should have lodged complaints during his parliamentary confirmation hearing for CJ, but nobody did so. “It is unfair to put a person repeatedly on trial for the same issues,” Singh argued, the news stated.

“There are legal ways to seek recourse against a judge’s misconduct. There is the Judicial Council that punishes the judges for misconduct. Judges can also be impeached by the Parliament,” Constitutional expert Bhimarjun Acharya argued, the news stated.

Dr Govinda KC is the first person accused of contempt of court released even after admitting that he had criticized the chief justice and the ruling of the chief justice. In his statement at the court, Dr KC admitted that he issued a press release criticizing Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli and Justice Deepak Kumar Karki for reinstating the fired dean of Institute of Medicine Dr Shashi Sharma and that he accused CJ Parajuli of being 'corrupt' and a 'don of mafia.' A division bench of the Supreme Court not only released Dr KC but also accepted his demand for a probe into the CJ's citizenship and his academic certificates, and into the ruling on Dr Shashi Sharma, Parajuli and Karki handed down. The news on http://www.myrepublica.com/news/34207/ stated on January 12, 2018.

In 2005, former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had accused the Supreme Court of working in the interest of the royal palace and suggested to shift its office to Narayanhiti Royal Palace. The apex court summoned him in person and recorded his statement. It ultimately acquitted him stating that he did not have any bad intention but was only for reform in the judiciary, the news stated.

Former Prime Ministers such as Prachanda and Dr Baburam Bhattarai had alleged that the apex court had been doing a favor to the bourgeois and only ruling against the poor. Both of them were cleared of the contempt of court stating they had exercised freedom of expression and had only intended for reform in the judiciary, the news stated.

“People have the right to disagree with the decisions of the court but they don't have the right to disobey,” said legal expert Prof. Purnaman Shakya, adding, “If anyone wants to overturn a judgment, s/he must follow due process. Choosing to launch a movement and other pressure tactics are not acceptable,” the news stated.

Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli did not assign any case for hearing to his bench on Friday, January 12, 2018, according to the case list published on Friday; only nine benches have been assigned for the day; legal experts have taken it as meaningful for CJ not assigning any case to his bench, the news on http://www.myrepublica.com/news/34248/ stated on January 12, 2018.

Everything started off again after a division bench of Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli and Justice Deepak Karki has ruled on Sunday, January 7, 2018 to reinstate fired Dean of Institute of Medicine Dr Shashi Sharma; his term of office has remained only for four days.

“We have issued a mandamus to reinstate him for four days starting from today itself if the petitioner so wishes as four days remain in his term that started from January 9, 2014 and expires on January 11, 2018,” the mandamus reads; a bench of the then chief justice Sushila Karki deemed not to issue an interim order on the Sharma’s petition, the news on http://setopati.net/political/114460 stated on January 7, 2018.

Senior orthopedic at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital Dr Govinda KC is set to sit for the 14^th hunger strike on Monday afternoon at 4 pm, January 8, 2018 protesting against the ruling of the Supreme Court to reinstate fired dean of Institute of Medicine Prof Dr Shashi Sharma, and demanding the resignation of Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli, and the probe upon CJ Parajuli, and accusing the Supreme Court of working under the influence of the medical mafia for ruling in favor of Dr Sharma after four years, the news on http://setopati.net/political/114517 and http://www.myrepublica.com/news/34000/ stated on January 8, 2018.

“I am staging the hunger strike against the chief justice,” Dr KC said in the press conference. “Now our judiciary does not give justice, rather it sells it. It is now under the command of the group that punishes honest, and helps protect the corrupt and criminals. There is no alternative to fight with the roof of the problem in such situation created to cover up the judicial crime and to fulfill personal interests at a time when laws and rules should be followed. So there’s no alternative to fighting against corrupt and Mafia-guided Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli only to save the judicial dignity,” Dr KC further said, the news on http://setopati.net/political/114517 stated on January 8, 2018.

Spokesperson for Supreme Court Narayan Prasad Panthi has said that Supreme Court section officer Netra Bandhu Poudel has filed a contempt of court case against Dr Govinda KC for making contemptuous remarks against the Supreme Court soon after the senior orthopedic surgeon announced his 14^th hunger-strike demanding the resignation of Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli, the news on https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/contempt-court-case-filed-dr-govinda-kc/ stated on January 8, 2018.

Hearing on the case, a single bench of Justice Dambar Bahadur Shahi directed the Home Ministry to produce Dr KC at the court after Apex Court section officer Netra Bandhu Poudel filed a contempt of court case against Dr KC. Following the Home Ministry’s order, Police arrested the senior orthopedic surgeon Dr KC from the place of hunger-strike he had been sitting for at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj on the evening, January 8, 2018, the news on https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/police-arrests-dr-govinda-kc-charge-contempt-court/ stated on January 8, 2018.

Dr KC has been in the custody of the police at the Singha Durbar Metropolitan Police Circle Office in Kathmandu for a night before presenting him to the Supreme Court on Tuesday morning, January 9, 2018 for recording his statement following the charge of the contempt of court.  The police took Dr KC on the Nepal Police ambulance.

Supporters of Dr Govinda KC have assembled at Maitighar Mandala since 8 am on the cold winter morning, January 9, 2018 to protest against the dramatic arrest of Dr KC and to demand his immediate release following the call of ‘Solidarity for Dr KC’ made for the mass-protest after the police arrested Dr KC on the order of the Supreme Court on Monday, January 8, 2018. NC leader Gagan Thapa, Naya Shakti Party leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai, and Rabindra Mishra of Bibeksheel Sajha Party condemned the arrest of Dr KC and demanded his immediate release in their statements, the news on https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/dr-govinda-kc-supporters-stage-protest-arrest/ stated on January 9, 2018.

Leader of Naya Shakti Nepal Dr Baburam Bhattarai, NC leader Gagan Thapa and Rabindra Mishra of Bibeksheel Sajha Party joined the supporters of Dr KC at Maitighar Mandala to protest the arrest of Dr KC. Many of them held different placards demanding the immediate release of Dr KC.

Advocate Surendra Bhandari said that 92-year-old senior advocate Krishna Prasad Bhandari is going to plead on behalf of Dr KC. Advocate Krishna Prasad Bhandari has been vocal about the corruption prevailing at the judiciary and cleansing of the court for a long time. Nepal Bar Association (NBA) had prepared a study report on corruption in the judiciary and cleansing of the court when Shambhu Prasad Gyawali was NBA president. “The bar has raised the issue just now. My shoulders can now take rest,” Bhandari had said after that, the news on http://setopati.net/political/114571 stated on January 9, 2018.

CPN-Maoist-Center leader also former speaker Onsari Gharti Magar and CPN-Maoist-Center leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and CPN-UML leaders Pradeep Gyawali and Ram Kumari Jhakri have opposed the arrest of Dr KC in their following tweets, the news on http://setopati.net/political/114604 stated on January 9, 2018.

“Overnight arrest of Dr KC in the name of law is tyranny. Using ‘contempt of court’ as a tool against practitioner of non-violent protest is blatantly wrong. I repeat again ‘court is not God’. The judiciary was kept as it is while restructuring the state. This is a result of that. Everyone concerned should understand,” CPN-Maoist-Center leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha tweeted.

Former speaker also Maoist leader Gharti Magar has said that she supported Dr KC’s demands even when she was speaker and reiterated her support even now. “I said and did when I was in the post, I say even now and make efforts (sic). Dr KC’s demands are right. The demands will have to be addressed through a right process,” Gharti Magar tweeted.

CPN-UML leader Gyawali labeled the action of the Supreme Court against Dr KC unfair. “Dr KC’s demands and style of protest can be debated. But the way the court acted/is acting against him cannot be called right in any manner,” Gyawali tweeted.

Youth leader of CPN-UML Jhakri has said that the war of Dr KC is for values and conscience. “One must have respect and faith toward the judiciary and I do have that. But where is the space to respect when the judiciary and justices take turn to purge corrupt, brokers and plunderers (of their shameful deeds), Your Honor? And contempt? Yes, there is contempt in that. Do file case, Dr KC’s fight for conscience and values,” Jhakri tweeted.

In a press statement on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, Nepal Medical Association (NMA) of Medical and Dental Doctors has demanded the immediate release of Dr KC.  “Dr KC’s arrest by the police from the TUTH premises has shocked the NMA,” read the statement issued by NMA General Secretary Dr Lochan Karki, “The NMA expresses grave sadness over the incident.” Through his hunger strike, Dr KC has been successful in bringing about a positive change in the medical and health sector that has improved the access to medical treatment for the general people, improvement in the quality of medical and health sector, the NMA statement stated, according to the news on http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-01-09/nepal-medical-association-demands-immediate-release-of-dr-kc.html.

CPN-UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali criticized Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for his statement that Dr KC was arrested without notifying him. “It is ridiculous for the prime minister, who also heads the home ministry to say that KC was arrested without his knowledge,” he added, the news on http://www.myrepublica.com/news/34112/ stated on January 10, 2018. Why could not Mr. Prime Minister punish the officer or officers that arrested Dr KC without his knowledge? Is it not his incompetence?

NC Spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma hoped that the court would take a wise decision on the issue. “The court should work in a wise manner instead of being driven by temperament. I hope this case will be settled through a wise decision by the court and I think KC is committed about maintaining respect for the judiciary,” he said, the news stated.

CPN-Maoist-Center spokesperson Pampha Bhusal has said that though her party hasn’t discussed the issue, she is personally against the court’s move. “The issue that Dr KC has been raising could be debatable but the court’s move undermines people’s right to freedom of expression. The court should also clarify about the issue he has raised,” Bhusal said, the news stated.

On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, the joint bench of Justices Om Prakash Mishra and Kedar Prasad Chalise recorded the statements of Dr. Govinda KC, senior orthopedic surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Mahargunj. He was arrested for contempt of court. The news on http://therisingnepal.org.np/news/21390 stated, and his statement briefed in the news is as follows.

In his statement, Dr. KC said that his intention was not to defame the judiciary; he was only against the polluted judicial system. He asked to investigate into the missing SLC certificate of CJ Parajuli and alteration of his birth date in his citizenship certificate. He questioned under which law CJ Parajuli had provided a clean chit to Lok Man Singh Karki, the former Chief of Commission on Investigation into Abuse of Authority (CIAA). He also asked for an investigation into CJ Parajuli’s verdict made in favor of the land mafia by twisting the government policy to make the land plotting business manageable. Dr. KC also raised questions about the rulings given by CJ Parajuli on cases relating to Chuda Muni Sharma, Gopal Khadka and NCell in his statement.

On January 10, 2018, a division bench of Justices Purushottam Bhandari and Bam Kumar Shrestha ordered the pre-trial release of Dr Govinda KC without bail, the bench also ordered to procure copies of two citizenship certificates Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli has, the Judicial Council’s decision on his age, and copies of his academic certificates, the news on https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/sc-releases-dr-govinda-kc-general-date/, http://www.myrepublica.com/news/34173/,  and http://setopati.net/political/114769 stated on January 10, 2018.

The court also ordered to obtain the Supreme Court’s ruling on a writ petition filed by Dr Shashi Sharma against the Vice-chancellor of Tribhuvan University and the prime minister, the news stated.

“I am not scared of dying and I am not scared of contempt of court punishment. My fight is against Gopal Parajuli, not other judges. If I have erred it was not a deliberate mistake, please forgive me,” Dr KC said with his hands clasped. Dr KC said he did not want the court to show mercy. “I want the cases to be investigated against Gopal Parajuli and he should be suspended till the case is adjudicated,” he added, the news stated.

Arguing on behalf of Dr KC, Senior Advocate Surendra Bhandari said his client had raised serious charges of forgery against CJ Parajuli and therefore the court should pass an order to the government attorneys telling them to immediately arrest CJ Parajuli. He added that the bench should seek affidavit from the CJ on why he promoted Chief Registrar of SC Nahakul Subedi thrice in six months, and why the CJ secured a job for his nephew at the Commission on Investigation into Abuse of Authority after delivering a verdict in favor of Lok Man Singh Karki, the news stated. Could anybody be fit or eligible for the next promotion after six months not to mention thrice in the country like Nepal where slow movement in the State offices have been rather regular practice?

Senior Advocate Bhandari said his client accused the CJ of being corrupt because he promoted Subedi thrice in six months. He also argued that his client called CJ Parajuli criminal because he believed that the CJ had committed forgery by obtaining two citizenship certificates, the news stated.

Pleading on behalf of petitioner Netra Bandhu Aryal, former attorney general Raman Kumar Shrestha said that Dr KC committed a criminal offence of contempt of court and he demanded the maximum punishment on him, the news stated. What about the allegations Dr KC made against CJ Parajuli?

The bench ordered to submit the ruling the bench of CJ Parajuli and another Justice Deepak Kumar Karki had handed down on the reinstatement of fired Dean of Institute of Medicine (IOM) Dr Shashi Sharma just for four days. Dr KC criticized the verdict handed down just a day ago while announcing his hunger strike on Monday, January 8, 2018, the news stated.

High Court Bar Patan asked the CJ to investigate the issues raised during the hearing on the contempt of court case against Dr Govinda KC and prove his probity and dignity as chief justice. “We would like to request a stop to criticisms in every issue and that it should not be made a regular practice,” said a press release jointly issued by Bar Chairman Major Thapa, Vice-Chairman Sebanta Raj Niraula and Secretary Tara Shrestha, the news on http://www.myrepublica.com/news/34173/ stated.

“Others cannot keep two certificates but Chief Justice has two. He has been in this job tampering his age. That is a crime. He does not have an SLC certificate and does not qualify to become a justice. I request for probe against him,” Dr KC had claimed while recording his statement at the SC on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, the news on http://setopati.net/political/114769 stated.

Hearing on a contempt of court case against Dr KC, a single bench of Dambar Bahadur Shahi ordered the police to arrest Dr KC and produce him before the court at nine Tuesday morning stating that through his press statement against the court’s verdict, he made indecent, slanderous and contemptible remarks against the judicial system of Nepal, judiciary and justices in a way that the general public can be misled, the news on http://setopati.net/political/114769 stated.

“Now our judiciary does not give justice, rather it sells it. It is now under the command of the group that punishes honest, and helps protect the corrupt and criminals. There is no alternative to fighting with the root of the problem in such situation created to cover up the judicial crime and to fulfill personal interests at a time when laws and rules should be followed. So there’s no alternative to fighting against corrupt and Mafia-guided only to save the judicial dignity,” Dr KC further said, the http://setopati.net/political/114769 stated.

“It is clear that Gopal Parajuli is not qualified to lead the Supreme Court of the country in any condition as serious questions have been raised about his basic qualification and morality, and the issue has already entered the judicial process,” Dr KC stated issuing a press statement on Thursday, January 11, 2018. “It seems the case will not move forward in an impartial manner and delivery of justice will be affected as long as he is in the post,” the press statement adds, the news on http://setopati.net/political/114818 stated.

In a press statement released on Friday, January 12, 2018, Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has urged Dr Govinda KC not to put pressure on the judiciary through his fast-unto-death strike. NBA also urged Dr KC to end his hunger strike stating that all kinds of pressure and influence on the independent judiciary is undesirable. NBA also has drawn an attention of all stakeholders concerned to the use of indecent language and the demand for resignation of chief justice (CJ), and the use of the tool of fast-unto-death to meet the demand, the news on http://setopati.net/political/114949 stated.

Dr Govinda KC has ended his 14^th hunger strike at 10:00 am on January 13, 2018 following a five-point agreement reached with the government on Friday night, January 12, 2018. Dr KC broke his fasting drinking juice from the hands of a cobbler at TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj. The agreement includes forming a recommendation committee to give a complete shape to Medical Education Commission within a week and giving continuity to the appointment of IoM Dean Dr Jagdish Prasad Agrawal among others, the news on http://therisingnepal.org.np/news/21453 stated.

Everything started after a press conference on Monday, January 8, 2018 Dr KC went on his fast-unto-death strike against the ruling of the Supreme Court on the reinstatement of the fired dean of IOM Dr Shashi Sharma. On Sunday, January 7, 2018, the joint bench of Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli and Justice Deepak Kumar Karki delivered a ruling on the writ petition filed by Dr Sharma after four years to reinstate him for four days if he so wishes, as his term of office would expire after four days.

The irony is that the media and the CIAA correctly make so much of noises when a few professionals or the State employees have their certificates faked or even without required credentials to meet the qualifications their jobs demand. Now, Dr KC has allegedly discovered even the head of the constitutional body has a missing SLC (School Leaving Certificate): the basic qualification required for building higher academic qualifications.

We don’t know how many of other heads of constitutional bodies have been carrying correct academic qualifications or not meeting the qualifications required for holding such honorable positions until somebody as Dr KC comes forward and exposes them when the State mechanism either don’t know or simply ignores such short of qualifications. In fact, the then elected government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala relaxed the control of the fake certificates holders joining the State administration probably causing many officers even today having one or more fake certificates or short of required academic qualifications for holding the offices they have been holding today.

We also don’t know how many of the State employees holding high offices such as secretaries, joint secretaries, and other police and military high offices have been holding credentials not tampered with false or wrong information, as we have room for the doubt Dr KC has created alleging the doubtful academic and citizenship certificates of CJ.

So, these high officials need to come out with the declaration and publication of their academic qualifications as ministers including prime minister disclose their assets when they first hold the positions so that common folks could be sure that our folks holding high offices are really sincere people and hold real academic qualifications, and also make sure that none of them has climbed up one position after another to reach a high position tricking the concerned agencies into promoting her/him based on false qualifications. Surely, this is one of the ways and means to control the corruption so endemic in our State administration.

The news titled “Nya-ik pra-kriya ma vi-d ko guna-jayas rahan-dai na” published in “gorkhapatra” on January 22, 2018 stated that inaugurating the “online complaint service” Press Council Nepal has initiated, Honorable Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli has said that if the crowd at Ratna Park or Mandala or streets were to be the decisive one then the constitutional bodies could come to an end there.

The fact had been that when common folks did not receive justice then they resorted to the street protests. Folks don’t need to go to the streets and express their grievances and demand justice from the constitutional bodies that are responsible to deliver the justice when they deliver justice and the rule of law becomes the regular practice. However, the tradition of following the rule of law has not taken the roots in Nepal, yet.

Even the laws are biased. For example, the Civil Offense Act of 2017 states in its Clause 289 (1) that nobody should harm cow or ox, and 289 (2) (1) states that if any cow or ox died from the offense done following the sub-clause (1) then s/he would be punished by three years in imprisonment, the indigenous people complained in the social media.

Indigenous people and other beef-eating Hindus have been complaining that these provisions made in the Clause 289 of Civil Offense Act of 2017 go against the statement in the preamble of the constitution of 2015 because those provisions violate the tradition, culture and faiths of the indigenous people, and consequently discriminatory.

If the constitutional bodies of the State don’t do justice to the indigenous people then they don’t have any options but to go to the Ratna Park or Mandala or streets to force the constitutional bodies to deliver the justice to the citizens. People need justice nothing else no matter from where it comes.

Folks like me get confused from the contradictory rulings of the benches of the Supreme Court. For example, the widely publicized ruling of the bench of the Supreme Court of Nepal on the land belonging to the then King Birendra the then King Gyanendra gave to his daughter as a dowry should not be transfer to the Nepal Trust as other assets of late King Birendra, was overturned by another bench of the Supreme Court, and ruled to keep the land with the Nepal Trust, as the then King Gyanendra could not give the land belonging to late King Birendra as a dowry to his daughter or anybody, according to the media reports.

Commission on Investigation into Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has started off questioning Executive Director of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) Gopal Prasad Khadka on Tuesday, and continued on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 concerning the reported irregularities in the land-purchase for building petroleum products depots, the news in “gorkhapatra” published on January 24, 2018 stated. The news stated that CIAA has already questioned more than 300 locals, government officials, and other stakeholders involved in purchasing the land.

The issue of the irregularities in the land-purchase has reached the parliamentary committees and then the CIAA after the public media have been continuously raising the voice against the irregularities in the land-purchase, the news stated.

Parliamentary Committee on Good Governance and Monitoring, Parliamentary Committee on Industry and Commerce, and Parliamentary Committee on Consumers’ Protection (benefits) did a study on the purchase of land. Parliamentary Committee on Industry and Commerce has concluded in its study report that the irregularities in the purchase of land for NOC has been about NPR 1.5 billion because of paying the prices for the land more than four times the prevailing prices, the news in “gorkhapatra” published on January 24, 2018 stated.

The Deuba government had made a cabinet decision on firing Gopal Prasad Khadka in September 2017 after the findings of the Parliamentary Committee, and removed him from the position of the Executive Director obviously not following the proper administrative process for firing any State officials means leaving room for Khadka to go to the court and get reinstated, which Khadka did and he got reinstated, and he is still Executive director, as the government did not bother to follow the correct administrative process for firing Khadka again indicating the irregularities in purchasing land for the NOC must have a good link with the higher authorities including the minister and the prime minister. This is clearly the injustice done to the common folks by the constitutional body, as the benefits from building the petroleum products depots will not be available to the common folks as planned.

January 16, 2018

Updated on January 26, 2018