VT Staff, Kathmandu: Nepal’s Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to issue an interim order on 16 petitions challenging the dissolution of the House of Representatives and instead issued a show-cause order giving the respondents seven days to reply. A constitutional bench led by Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, with Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hari Prasad Phuyal, and Manoj Kumar Sharma, said the questions raised should be considered at final hearing rather than through temporary relief.
The bench directed the Office of the Attorney General to file written responses within seven days under Rule 19 of the Supreme Court (Constitutional Bench Operation) Regulations. The order adds that, as the matters sought in the interim application are intertwined with the main dispute, an interim injunction is not necessary at this stage.
Petitioners argue the constitution does not envision appointing a prime minister from outside Parliament and ask the court to void the presidential appointment and the dissolution that followed. They also sought limits on an interim government’s authority to take long-term decisions.
President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister on Bhadra 27, after which the Cabinet recommended dissolving the House; the president set elections within six months. The Election Commission has since announced polls for Falgun 21. Hearings have shifted to the court’s annex building after a fire destroyed the main structure on Bhadra 24.
What’s next: The case proceeds once written replies arrive or the deadline lapses. The dissolution remains in force unless the bench rules otherwise following full arguments.
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