RCCC takes former minister Rawal into custody (12:30 p.m.)

Former minister and UML leader Bhim Rawal (File Photo)

Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) has taken former minister and UML leader, Bhim Rawal, into custody Tuesday morning.

As per the order of the Commission, police arrested Rawal from his residence at Ghattekulo at around 9:45 a. m. He has been taken at the Commission’s office at Pulchowk and RCCC officials are said to be inquiring him about his role

On Sunday, the controversial Commission had summoned Rawal to be present before it in connection with the investigation on leasing of a China South West Airlines plane by the state-run Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation in the mid-nineties.

Instead of obliging the RCCC, Rawal filed a petition at the Supreme Court on Monday challenging the Commission’s authority (to summon him) and urging the apex court to issue an interim order.

Preliminary hearings on Rawal’s petition is scheduled to take place at the apex court this afternoon.

Meanwhile, legal community in the country were dismayed at the RCCC’s act of `detaining’ Rawal after he had approached the Supreme Court for protection against ‘illegal detention.’

The constitution of the kingdom of Nepal, 1990, guarantees the citizen’s right against illegal detention.

Talking to Nepalnews Tuesday, executive committee member of Nepal Bar Association and advocate Tikaram Bhattarai said the RCCC’s act of arresting Rawal in a sub-judice case was clearly a contempt of court. He even alleged that the RCCC was trying ‘to take law in its own hand by spreading fear and intimidation.’

RCCC officials were not immediately available for comments.

His Majesty King Gyanendra had constituted the RCCC after taking over power in February this year. The Commission has been empowered to investigate, prosecute and hand out judgment on cases of corruption.

The Commission on Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had investigated twice in the CSWA case in the past and ordered to send the file against Rawal into pending saying that it did not find any evidence of irregularities committed by the former Civil Aviation minister in the episode.

Nepalnews will be watching the developments. nepalnews.com by Aug 30 05

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