SC stays decision to dismiss Sudurpashchim Province assembly member Giri

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has issued an interim stay order to not implement the decision to remove Sudurpashchim Province assembly member Indira Giri of Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP).

A single bench of Justice Prakashman Singh Raut issued the order on Sunday.

Sudurpashchim Province Assembly Speaker Bhim Bhandari published a notice on April 8, announcing that NUP assembly member Giri had been relieved of her position in the provincial assembly. Speaker Bhandari issued the notification based on a letter sent by NUP Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha, stating that provincial assembly member Giri had been recalled from the provincial assembly for violating the party’s decision.

“The party’s action does not definitively expel provincial assembly member Giri from her position; it merely decides to recall her from the provincial assembly. There is no provision for recalling assembly members in Section 34 of the Political Parties Act, 2016,” reads the apex court’s order. “Since it has been determined that the notification to remove the applicant from her position was issued without justification or grounds, and that this decision could impact her duties as a people’s representative, the apex court hereby orders the defendants to refrain from preventing the petitioner from functioning as a Sudurpashchim Provincial Assembly member until a final verdict is reached.”