KATHMANDU:- The Supreme Court is hearing a writ petition filed against President Ram Chandra Paudel’s recent validation of the long-withheld Citizenship Bill.

The bench of Justices Prakashman Singh Raut and Sushmalata Mathema has been assigned for the hearing of the case.

On the writ filed by senior advocates Surendra Bhandari and Balkrishna Neupane, the Supreme Court issued a short-term interim order on June 4. After the order of the single bench of Justice Manoj Sharma, the implementation of the Citizenship Act has been curbed.

The Supreme Court called both parties for a discussion today to decide whether to issue an interim order in the case.

The hearing in the Supreme Court today will determine the future of the Citizenship Bill validated by President Paudel.

If the joint bench of the Supreme Court continues the interim order, the process of distribution of citizenship will be stopped for the time being. Likewise, if the short-term order issued earlier is revoked, the way for the distribution of citizenship will be opened.

The bill which the then President Bidya Devi Bhandari refused to certify was certified by President Paudel on May 31.

The government recommended the bill for approval.