Wednesday, April 20 2005 08:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's Royal anti-corruption commission yesterday (Apr 19, 2005) summoned ousted Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for questioning over graft allegations.

The Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC), formed by King Gyanendra soon after his February 1 power grab, asked Deuba to be present within 24 hours in its office, an official from the agency said.

Deuba will be questioned over allegations of committing irregularities while awarding the contract of the Melamchi Drinking Water Project, as well as charges of "misuse" of the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, the official said.

The commission had on Monday (Apr 18, 2005) also summoned Prakash Man Singh, son of the supreme commander of 1990 people's movement Ganesh Man Singh, in the case related to the water project.

However, Singh, who was the Minister for physical planning and construction in the Deuba Cabinet, questioned the constitutionality of the Royal commission.

"The RCCC was formed to take revenge against the politicians who are opposed the Royal coup and its formation was unconstitutional, so I won't be present at the office of the RCCC," Singh said in a statement in Kathmandu.

"Why should I present myself before the unconstitutional Royal Commission? My Ministry had no role in the decision as the lowest bidder was awarded the contract through the decision of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)," Singh said.

Deuba had earlier defended Singh, terming the move to summon him as "politically motivated and unconstitutional".