KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has refused to issue an interim order in a writ petition filed by former CPN-Maoist Center leaders Lekh Raj Bhatt, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Prabhu Sah and Gauri Shankar Chaudhary against the Maoists decision to remove them from the post of lawmakers.

Hearing on the writ petition on Monday, a single bench of Justice Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada refused to issue an interim order.

“It does not seem reasonable to issue an interim order against CPN-Maoist Center’s discretionary decision taken against the defecting party leaders,” SC said, adding, “Even from the point of view of the amenities as well it does not seem necessary to issue interim order as sought by the petitioners.”

However, SC has issued a show cause order against the defendants.

After Supreme Court scrapped erstwhile ruling Nepal Communist Party and revived the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center on March 7, former Maoist Center lawmakers Bhatt, Rayamajhi, Sah and Chaudhary among others had joined KP Oli-led UML, following which the Maoists took action against them.