KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has begun consultation with legal experts about the constitutional significance of the citizenship bill that is before the President.

President Paudel held discussions with Nepal Bar Association office-bearers on the Citizenship Bill, according to Kiran Pokharel, the press advisor of the President.

He also inquired about the constitutional provision that comes into effect in regard to the Bill, especially in the context that the bill has been passed twice by the parliament and already returned for a review once by the President.

On the occasion, NBA President Gopal Krishna Ghimire said that the President would be advised on the matter following a comprehensive discussion, in line with the Bar’s Birgunj conference declaration.

However, Supreme Court Bar Association President Hari Shankar Niraula suggested that the bill does not exist and is thereby void.

He said that the President can certify it only if it comes again from the Parliament in the form of a bill.

It may be noted that Citizenship Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament and sent it to the President for certification.

The then President Bidya Devi Bhandari sent the Bill back to the Parliament after pointing out shortcomings in the Bill.

The bill was again passed by both Houses and sent to the President for certification but President Bhandari did not act on the bill.