Keep Constitutional Bodies Free From Political Pressuree

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has said the private sector should not be brought under the jurisdiction of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), a matter that has been debated for several years. While some argue that the CIAA’s jurisdiction should extend to the private sector, others maintain that regulating private businesses is not the anti-graft body’s responsibility. Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ State Affairs and Good Governance Committee recently, Lamichhane also stressed the need to protect the independence and dignity of constitutional bodies. Although he did not explicitly refer to any particular incident, his remarks appeared to come amid concerns over the conduct of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s advisers toward CIAA officials and alleged pressure on the anti-graft body to file cases. Lamichhane said the CIAA, courts and other constitutional bodies should not be viewed as operating under the shadow of any political party or government. He is right on this point. Protecting the credibility and independence of state institutions is a democratic necessity that must take precedence over the interests of individuals or political parties. Good governance depends on impartial justice and constitutional bodies being free from political interference.