Contempt of court case filed against PM, Health Minister

KATHMANDU: A contempt of court case has been registered against Prime Minister KP Oli and Health Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal.

Advocates Lokendra Bahadur Oli and Keshar Jung KC have filed a contempt case against the Prime Minister and the Health Minister at the Supreme Court on Sunday.

Earlier, they had filed a writ petition at the apex court demanding free testing and treatment for the coronavirus.

Hearing the writ petition, the apex court on October 1 had ordered the government not to charge the fee, stating that basic health care is a fundamental right of the citizens.

However, in defiance of the court order, the government has been neglecting tests and treatment. The Ministry of Health and Population had decided not to bear test and treatment expenses for the COVID-19 before the Dashain holidays began.

“We have filed a contempt case in court today,” said Oli, “The hearing might begin by Tuesday.”

The law provides for one-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 for contempt of court. The case has been filed demanding that both should be punished as per the provision.