Temporary reprieve for Koshi govt

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order directing the Koshi Province Government not to make any decisions with long-term impacts. The decision allows the new government led by Uddhab Thapa of the Nepali Congress to carry out its normal responsibilities until a final verdict is reached.

Hearing a writ petition challenging the formation of the Koshi Province Government under the leadership of Uddhab Thapa of the Nepali Congress, a single bench of Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla issued the order on Tuesday. The bench has also instructed the defendants to provide written answers explaining why an interim order should not be issued, as demanded by the petitioners through the Office of the Chief Attorney of Koshi Province.

The bench has directed the provincial government to submit original copies of the claims to form the government, the signatures of assembly members supporting the claim, and the decision of the Province Chief to appoint Thapa as the Chief Minister to the Supreme Court by July 19.

Former Chief Minister and CPN-UML assembly member Hikmat Bahadur Karki filed the writ petition against the formation of the government on July 7, arguing that the Speaker cannot support the claim for government formation. Chief Minister Thapa, Province Chief Parshuram Khapung, and Provincial Speaker Baburam Gautam have been named as defendants in the case.