KATHMANDU: Today marks the scheduled hearing of the writ petition challenging the ban on TikTok, the popular social media platform for creating and sharing short-form videos. Launched in September 2016 by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, TikTok faced a ban in Nepal following a decision made during the Council of Ministers’ meeting on November 13.

A joint bench comprising Justice Suamalata Mathema and Binod Sharma is set to conduct the hearing of the case, following a show cause notice previously issued by the Supreme Court to the government during the initial stages of the legal proceedings.

The petitioners are urging the court to rescind the decision to ban TikTok. Subsequently, a majority of the internet service providers in the country ceased the operation of TikTok following the government directive.

The ban was justified on grounds of disturbances to social harmony, numerous cases against public decency, and purported lack of cooperation from TikTok Company in the efforts to minimize crime and prosecute offenders. The outcome of today’s hearing will be eagerly anticipated as stakeholders await a resolution to this highly debated issue.