Sher Bahadur Deuba
Sher Bahadur Deuba (File Photo)
Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and former minister for physical planning and works Prakash Man Singh, who were put under custody by the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) for alleged irregularities in the Melamchi Drinking Water Project (MDWP), were released at midnight on Monday after the Supreme Court (SC) scrapped the RCCC.
Deuba was freed from the Police Academy in Maharajgunj where he was detained, while Singh was freed from Pahara Gan in Tripureshwor.
Party leaders Dr Minendra Rijal, Purna Bahadur Khadka and Bal Krishna Khand, were present at the Academy to receive Deuba.
Former minister Prakash Man Singh (File Photo)
Former minister Prakash Man Singh (File Photo)
Immediately after the SC scrapped the RCCC, Deuba and Singh lauded the SC decision describing it “courageous decision” of Nepal’s legal system.
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday ordered to scrap the controversial RCCC saying the formation of the anti-graft body was unconstitutional as it contradicted with Articles 83 (3), 84, 85, 88 (3), 89, 105 (7) and 127 of the Constitution of the Kingdom (1990).
The controversial RCCC had slapped two years jail terms on Deuba and Singh on July 26 last year on charges of committing irregularities in the Melamchi Drinking Water Project.
The controversial RCCC had also fined Deuba Rs 45 million and was also told to pay up another Rs 45 million as repayment of the amount allegedly embezzled by him. He was arrested on April 27.
Others charged by the RCCC in the alleged irregularities in the project include former secretary Tika Dutta Niraula, executive director of MDWP Dhruba Narayan Shrestha, assistant executive director Deepak Kumar Jha and contractor Jip Tshering Lama.
However major donors stalled their assistance to the project expressing dissatisfaction over the RCCC’s verdict.
His Majesty the King formed the RCCC under Article 127 of the constitution to look after corruption related cases following the February 1 royal takeover of last year.