Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court is hearing a writ petition on Tuesday challenging the government’s decision to remove office-bearers of public bodies through an ordinance.
Mahesh Bhattarai, former member-secretary of the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) and Kumari Kaushalya Ojha, a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, filed the petition. Both of them were removed from their positions through an ordinance before completing the four-year term guaranteed by law.
The Special Provisions Ordinance on the Removal of Public Office Holders, 2026, issued by President Ramchandra Paudel on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, cancelled more than 1,500 appointments to several government bodies made by the previous administration.
Hearing the case on May 27, the constitutional bench comprising Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma and Justices Hari Prasad Phuyal, Dr Nahakul Subedi, Binod Sharma and Mahesh Sharma Paudel had ordered the government to submit a written response by June 8, explaining the legal basis and reasons for removing officials of public bodies through an ordinance. It also sought eight amici curiae to assist the bench during the hearing.
Following the apex court’s decision, the Nepal Bar Association and the Supreme Court Bar Association have nominated four amici curiae each. The Nepal Bar Association has nominated senior advocate Yuvraj Bhandari, constitutional expert Dr Chandrakanta Gyawali, Anjita Khanal, and Tejman Shrestha. Likewise, the Supreme Court Bar Association has appointed senior advocate and former attorney general Badri Bahadur Karki, former law minister Govinda Bandi, constitutional expert Bhimarjun Acharya and senior advocate Usha Malla Pathak.
