SC resuming habeas corpus hearings from Sunday

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has said that it will resume registration of habeas corpus petitions and regular hearings starting Sunday.

Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut said in a press statement that an emergency full court meeting held on Thursday took the decision. He expressed gratitude to the judges, staff, legal professionals, law students, security personnel and general public who worked to safeguard court records and physical assets from destruction during the vandalism and arson on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court building in Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, was set on fire and vandalized by an unruly mob after the Gen Z protest escalated on Tuesday. Different courts across the country were vandalized during the protest.

The statement added that the attack on different courts had caused severe damage to vital documents, equipment and vehicles. “Many of Nepal’s historically important judicial documents were nearly destroyed,” Raut said in the statement. “Despite these challenging circumstances, the judiciary remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional mandate, ensuring the people’s sovereign rights, upholding the constitution, the rule of law and fundamental rights, and safeguarding people’s access to justice.“

Raut said all courts would resume operations as soon as possible to meet the public’s expectations of justice.