Show-cause order issued on petitions challenging govt-Gen Z agreement

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has issued a show-cause order in a writ petition filed against the agreement between the government and the Gen Z representatives.

A single bench of Justice Tek Prasad Dhungana issued the order against the defendants on Friday, hearing two separate petitions filed by Advocates Sudip Bhandari and Rohit Ojha, among others.

The petitioners have made Prime Minister Sushila Karki and the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers defendants in the case.

The court has directed the defendants to submit a written response within 15 days, through the Office of the Attorney General, on why a stay order as demanded by the petitioners should not be issued. The bench also ordered both sides to attend the hearing on December 26.

The government and Gen Z representatives signed a 10-point agreement on December 8.

The petitioners have argued that a government mandated to conduct elections does not have the authority to enter into such an agreement. They also argued that the provision in the agreement limiting the tenure of federal and provincial chief executives to a maximum of two terms contradicts the constitution. They have sought an order of certiorari to declare the agreement and the notice published the Nepal Gazette unconstitutional.