KATHMANDU: A writ petition filed by CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli seeking action against 14 defecting lawmakers is to undergo full hearing at the Supreme Court (SC) on April 3.

A bench of Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Kumar Chudal on Sunday directed to hold a full hearing on the writ on April 3, stating that constitutional and legal issues raised in the case needed to be sorted out at the earliest.

UML Chair Oli had filed a writ petition at the SC against the Election Commission and House Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota after the speaker did not recognize the UML action taken against the 14 lawmakers, including Madhav Kumar Nepal.

The UML had expelled the lawmakers before the formation of the CPN-Unified Socialist (CPN-US). However, the speaker’s reluctance to act timely on the issue had led to the formation of of the CPN-US.

The CPN-UML has been obstructing the parliament since August 8, questioning the speaker’s role.

Similarly, the UML had urged the Election Commission (EC) not to recognize the CPN-US formed by the expelled lawmakers.

However, after the EC registered the CPN-US by verifying all the lawmakers who were expelled by the UML , the main opposition leader moved the court.

Despite UML Chair Oli demanding an interim order in the writ, hearing on the case had been repeatedly postponed on various pretexts. However, no interim order was issued to address  the writ petitioner’s demand.

After a full hearing as slated by SC for April 3, it will be decided whether the 14 defecting UML lawmakers will retain their posts or lose it.