The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) moved the Supreme Court on Sunday, challenging the verdict passed by the Special Court in a corruption case.

The anti-graft body filed a review petition at the Supreme Court, seeking the penalties specified in the original chargesheet against former secretary Ram Kumar Shrestha, who also became minister in the Khil Raj Regmi-led election government.

The CIAA claimed that the Special Court’s decision to partially convict Shrestha was flawed.

“The available evidence shows the decision is flawed,” the CIAA said in the review petition.

The anti-graft body found that he possessed property worth Rs113.54 million while the source for only Rs69 million was established.

The CIAA had filed a graft case against Shrestha on February 27, 2022, accusing him of amassing property worth Rs44.53 million by misusing his public position. The anti-graft body has demanded the confiscation of the property and an equal fine.

On September 25, 2023, a bench comprising Special Court Judges Yamuna Bhattarai and Khushi Prasad Tharu found Shrestha 'partially guilty'. The bench sentenced Shrestha to six months in prison, imposed a fine of Rs9.83 million, and ordered the confiscation of property of an equivalent amount.

The CIAA has appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the Special Court's decision was not in accordance with the law and helped Shrestha legalise the remaining illegal property.

CIAA Spokesperson Narahari Ghimire said that they were dissatisfied with the decision and, therefore, filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.

Shrestha was the Minister for Tourism in the then Regmi-led election government that was formed mainly to hold elections in 2013.