KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has registered the contempt of court case after the prosecutors removed the name of Prime Minister KP Oli from the list.
Advocate duo Lokendra Oli and Keshar Jung KC had tried to sue PM Oli and Health Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal in the contempt of court case citing that the government had defied both the Supreme Court decree and the constitutional provisions regarding the right to health by refusing to provide free test and treatment against coronavirus pandemic.
The SC which had refused to register the writ earlier saying it PM could not be held as opponent in the case, has registered the case on Monday after getting the name of PM removed from the list.
However, the name of the Health Minister Dhakal has not been removed from the list of opponent.
The Supreme Court in its October 1 verdict related with the right to health and the duties of the government had directed the government to ensure everyone gets free of cost test and treatment against coronavirus pandemic as the government cannot ignore the constitutional provisions related with the right to health.
Before the full text of the verdict was made public on October 13, the government, despite knowing the SC verdict, had decided the government would not provide the treatment against coronavirus free of cost on October 5.
The government decision was made public by the spokesperson at the Ministry of Health on October 18.
Although the Ministry of Health and Population had issued notice informing the government would provide the free of cost test and treatment service against coronavirus pandemic only to the poor, disabled and senior citizens, the hospitals have started levying heavy charge from all patients.
The prosecutors have cited that the government decree has violated Article 35 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.
Advocate duo have sought one year in prison and Rs 10,000 as fine against Health Minister Dhakal.
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