Apex court refuses interim order against HoR dissolution

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to issue an interim order against President Ramchandra Paudel’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives (HoR) on the recommendation of interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

A constitutional bench led by Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and comprising Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hari Phuyal and Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, made the decision while hearing over a dozen petitions challenging the formation of the interim government and the dissolution of the lower house.

The petitioners had sought an interim order to stop the government from carrying out its duties until the final verdict is passed by the apex court.

“Since the matters raised are of a nature that require consideration during the final hearing, an interim order as demanded need not be issued at present,” the bench said.

The Supreme Court has asked the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to submit written responses within one week.

With the refusal to issue an interim order, the interim government led by Sushila Karki will continue to function until the Court delivers a final ruling on the petitions.