PMO pressure pushes Smart Telecom case to court despite legal objections
Summary
Government lawyers say the Smart Telecom prosecution was pushed forward under unprecedented pressure from the Prime Minister’s Office despite objections over the evidence and legal basis. The case names 22 defendants and seeks damages of around Rs 96 billion over the auction of Smart Telecom collateral.
Key Points
- Government attorneys in Kathmandu say they faced unprecedented pressure from the Prime Minister’s Office to file the Smart Telecom case.
- The CIB has claimed damages of around Rs 96 billion and named 22 individuals as defendants, including bank officials.
- Lawyers questioned the legal basis of pursuing Nepal Investment Mega Bank Ltd over the collateral auction and said the investigation had weaknesses.
- The case has intensified concerns that political pressure is influencing prosecution decisions and undermining the independence of government attorneys.
