Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have expressed strong objections to a Supreme Court order directing the registration of a petition previously refused and scheduling its hearing for Tuesday.
In a meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, RSP lawmakers Yagyamani Neupane and Samikshya Baskota objected to the order issued by Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, arguing that it involves a conflict of interest. RSP lawmaker Neupane said the court order clearly shows a conflict of interest and accused the judiciary of going beyond the limits and dignity expected of the court and its judicial administration.
Similarly, Baskota questioned how appropriate it was for the Acting Chief Justice herself to order the registration of the refused petition and to schedule a hearing date. She further suggested that if the Acting Chief Justice wished to engage in politics, she should take off the robe and enter the political arena.
Following the RSP lawmakers’ remarks against the Supreme Court’s order, CPN-UML lawmakers objected to the discussion, arguing that the matter was sub judice.
Meanwhile, UML lawmaker Ain Bahadur Mahar objected to the remarks made by RSP lawmakers, saying that parliament was not allowed to discuss matters pending before the court. He drew the Speaker’s attention to repeated statements in the House that undermine the dignity of judges and the judiciary.
Earlier on Monday, Acting Chief Justice Malla had issued an order to the Supreme Court administration to register the refused petition, which was filed against the Constitutional Council’s recommendation for Chief Justice, and scheduled its hearing for Tuesday.
