KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has issued a show cause order on a writ petition seeking the return of Rs 3.1 million given by the Government of Nepal to former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal for medical treatment.

A single bench of Justice Ishwar Khatiwada on Wednesday issued a show cause order.

Earlier, advocate Bimal Prasad Pokharel had filed a writ petition against the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Prime Minister Khanal claiming it was unlawful to provide money for the treatment of him.

The petition stated that the illegal financial assistance provided to Khanal has misappropriated the country’s coffers and has had a negative impact on the people as well.