National
CIAA refutes allegations of intervention in KU
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Tuesday clarified that it has not made any intervention by overstepping constitutional and legal boundaries in connection to the entrance examinations at the Kathmandu University (KU).The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Tuesday clarified that it has not made any intervention by overstepping constitutional and legal boundaries in connection to the entrance examinations at the Kathmandu University (KU).
At a meeting of Parliament's Good Governance and Monitoring Committee, CIAA Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi said, "We have not intervened by going beyond the constitutional and legal boundary; I want to make it clear that we did not cross the borderline of investigation."
He added that the anti-graft body could not remain a mute spectator after a complaint was filed with claim that the rights of capable, talented and hardworking students to take up medical education on basis of competition were being curtailed.
The Commission has always been serious and conscious of the University's academic freedom, Secretary Subedi added. He said the Commission only fulfilled constitutional role and duty as a 'watch dog' after repeated complaints of irregularities in examinations.
He further noted that the anti-graft body carried out the inspection and monitoring of question papers and examinations by remaining on the outer layer and in consideration of the autonomy, and in understanding with the university's officials. He further reiterated that the Commission did not intervene and was not involved.
The Committee sought clarification with the varsity's officials and CIAA after reports that the anti-graft body intervened in MD, MS and MBBS examinations' question papers, examinations operation and publication of results.
The Commission had instructed the Nepal Medical Council to probe into the allegations of irregularities and scam during the examinations under the faculty of medical science run by the KU last year.
The commission said that the complaints said that seating plan were made during the examinations in ways of helping the people nearest to concerned authorities pass the tests and demanded bringing the culprits to justice.
Failure to work out internal disputes within the university has prompted the issue come to light but in the name of the examinations, they suspected. "The case has been made an issue in ways to weaken the commission working as a strong institution of faith and hope for people and seize the rights bestowed on it."
While some committee members were of the view that the constitutional organ like the commission should not be pursued just because of the case filed against it, saying that democracy is the beauty of rule of law and the due process.
Although Chief Commissioner Lok Man Singh and other office bearers were called to inquire about the complaints, Karki did not attend the meeting, saying that he was unhealthy and instead secretary of the commission Subedi responded to queries related to the complaints. RSS