KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) is holding the final hearing on the citizenship and passport issue of Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane from today.
The issue of Lamichhane’s citizenship and passport is being looked into by the SC’s Constitutional Bench.
Although a case was registered questioning his eligibility to be a Member of Parliament, the way for him to take oath was opened when the Supreme Court did not issue an interim order.
A writ was filed against Lamichhane in December 14, 2022 to prevent him from taking oath as a member of the House of Representatives.
It is alleged that Lamichhane did not revoke his Nepali citizenship when he took American citizenship and used his old citizenship again even after renouncing his American citizenship.
Lamichhane is also accused of creating a Nepali passport by submitting false information without renouncing his American citizenship.
Section 21 (a) of the Passport Act 2076 states that passports cannot be obtained by giving false information.
If caught, according to Section 22, there is a legal provision that a fine ranging from 2 lakh to 5 lakh rupees or imprisonment from one year to 3 years or both.
According to the investigation, Lamichhane took a Nepali passport before relinquishing his US citizenship and may be fined and imprisoned.
Lamichhane is using the same citizenship he got in 2050 BC.
Lamichhane contested the November 20 election using his previous citizenship.
Comment