KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Manish Jha, coordinator of a parliamentary subcommittee examining the Nepal Police uniform procurement case, has said no one can be declared guilty solely on the basis of allegations, stressing that conclusions should be drawn only after a thorough study and investigation.
Jha, who coordinates a subcommittee formed under the Public Accounts Committee to study the procurement of uniforms for the Nepal Police, made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a subcommittee meeting. He said the panel would conduct an in-depth study of the procurement process and make recommendations based on its findings.
“First, we set the agenda, then hold discussions, conduct a study, reach conclusions, and finally make a decision,” Jha said, adding that the subcommittee’s primary responsibility was to conduct a study.
He clarified that the subcommittee would neither declare anyone guilty nor recommend action against any particular official before completing its study. Reaching conclusions about an individual’s wrongdoing before the investigation is complete, he said, would reflect a prejudiced approach.
“Our role is to prepare a report, make recommendations, and present our conclusions. The authority to make the final decision rests with the full committee, which will determine the subsequent course of action,” he said.
Reiterating the distinction between the subcommittee’s investigative role and the full committee’s decision-making authority, Jha said it would be inappropriate to label individuals corrupt or accuse them of specific wrongdoing before the study was completed.
“We engage in study and discussion, but labeling specific individuals as corrupt or claiming they have committed certain acts is politically and practically flawed. That should not be done,” he said. “We have not yet reached any definitive, black-and-white conclusion. We are currently in a ‘grey zone’ and intend to conduct our study while remaining within it.”
According to Jha, the subcommittee will interview relevant stakeholders, record statements, and hold discussions with experts and responsible officials. The subcommittee will devote the month of Kartik to internal study and research, with the preliminary research phase.
During this period, members will prepare for the investigation by identifying the evidence to be requested, the individuals to be summoned for statements, and the questions to be put to relevant parties. Both serving and retired officials may be called to provide statements as necessary, Jha said.
The Public Accounts Committee received a complaint alleging corruption by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki in the procurement of uniforms for election police. Following the complaint, the committee formed a nine-member subcommittee under Jha’s coordination to examine the matter.
The subcommittee has been given two months to complete its study. Its terms of reference were approved at its second meeting, held on Thursday.
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