Taking exception to a statement issued by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority on September 25, Social Science Baha (SSB) has said the anti-graft body had distorted facts and misrepresented the documents that were provided to it. 

In a statement on Friday, the SSB said the CIAA inaccurately qualified the Alliance for Social Dialogue (ASD) as a separate organisation. “ASD is a programme that the SSB has been running since 2007,” it said. 

Asserting that it has not violated any laws of the country, the SSB said that the CIAA’s act of issuing a press release and acting like a judicial entity to pass judgement based on groundless allegations is against the constitution. The judgement was influenced by prejudice and malice and is also beyond the jurisdiction of the CIAA, it added.

Through the statement, the SSB has expressed its readiness to face any investigation as per the law of the land by any state entity and cooperate in the investigation. 

“We would also seek that constitutionally established bodies carry out their duties without prejudice and by remaining within the ambit of the constitution and prevailing laws,” read the statement.

Claiming that it has received pre-approval under the prevailing laws to run the programme called ASD, the SSB has presented letters from the Social Welfare Council attesting to its claims. 

“Social Science Baha is an organisation established, managed and active under the prevailing laws with the objective of promoting social sciences in Nepal. It has been carrying out the following activities to fulfil its objectives: build capacity of Nepali researchers by collaborating with national and international organisations to make its work authoritative and credible; run a well-equipped social science library; serve as a think-tank based on the knowledge gained through the study, teaching and research in social sciences, and sharing of experiences and academic exchanges; and conduct regular discussions, dialogues and interactions for policy-making and analysis,” the statement read.

It further noted that SSB was registered with the District Administration Office, Lalitpur, on 15 January 2007 and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council on 24 January 2007. “Social Science Baha received its Permanent Account Number from the Inland Revenue Department on January 28, 2007. Its registration has been renewed on annual basis as per the prevailing laws by both the Social Welfare Council and the District Administration Office, Lalitpur,” added the statement.