KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) has quashed a writ petition filed by Judge Binod Kumar Gautam. Gautam, a Judge of Chitwan District Court has been named one of the defendants in the Lalita Niwas land grab scam.

Gautam had moved the apex court on February 12 arguing that he was not involved in building infrastructures in the land while he had served as an Under-Secretary at the then Ministry of Physical Project and Construction.

Gautam, during his tenure at the Ministry, had suggested for construction of road and road expansion.

Based on that, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a graft case against him in the scam.

The anti-graft body has demanded 11 years and Rs 90 million fine from him.

Gautam, in his writ, had argued that CIAA can’t investigate against him as he is a Judge and he should be given immunity and even if an investigation is done it should be done by Judicial Council.

However, a single bench of Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma refused to issue the interim order and also quashed the writ.