KATHMANDU: Former Secretary Deep Basnyat has filed a habeas corpus writ petition at the Supreme Court (SC) Friday.

The writ is filed against Special Court’s December 12, 2020, order to keep him behind bars for a hearing in the Lalita Niwas land grab scandal.

In the petition, Basnyat mentioned the Special Court’s decision has infringed on his fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution, as the decision is not founded on a legitimate base and was issued despite the lack of evidence in proving his involvement in the land grab scam.

The Commission on Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a corruption case at the Special Court against Basnyat on February 5, 2020, as he was then incumbent secretary of the then Ministry of Physical Infrastructure when the ownership of the land of Lalita Niwas was transferred into individual names.

In the habeas Corpus writ, Basnyat has also outlined his present health condition. Stating he is 69 years old heart patient, who recently contracted COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment at the high care unit of Om Hospital in Chabahil. Cites the need of immediate heart surgery to save his life, he urges the Supreme Court to issue an order on his habeas corpus writ.