Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has refused to issue interim order in a writ petition that questioned the legitimacy of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane’s legitimacy as a member of the House of Representatives.
A constitutional bench of the apex court led by Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki refused to issue interim order. The apex court will pronounce its final verdict on January 25.
The decision means Lamichhane, who has now been appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, will continue to remain in office.
The petitioners, including Yubaraj Safal, have sought a Supreme Court order to prevent Lamichhane from taking the oath of office and serving as a member of parliament. The petitioner also requested that Lamichhane be removed as the chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party for allegedly using his inactive Nepali citizenship after obtaining US citizenship.
