KATHMANDU: The Patan High Court has issued a show cause order concerning the contentious appointment of the Chairman of the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA), prompting a legal challenge against the government’s decision.

During the hearing of a writ petition filed by Ramdev Yadav, who sought an interim order, the single bench of High Court Judge Anju Upreti Dhakal mandated the government to present justifiable reasons in response to the show cause order.

Yadav’s writ, filed on February 27, calls for the cancellation of the appointment process and a halt to the ongoing appointment proceedings.

However, the court has summoned both parties for a discussion on the matter before issuing an interim order.

The government appointed Bhupendra Bhandari as the Chairman of the Telecommunication Authority on February 18.

The decision was made by the Council of Ministers meeting, based on the recommendation put forth by a committee led by the Communications Secretary.

A total of 25 individuals, including petitioner Yadav, submitted applications for consideration by the recommendation committee headed by Communication Secretary Ram Krishna Subedi.

The committee, after evaluating the applicants, recommended the names of Bhandari, Shailendra Giri, and Nabin GC to the Council of Ministers.

Out of the three recommendations, the Council of Ministers chose Bhandari as the appointed Chairman, deeming him the top candidate.

The legal petition filed in the Patan High Court lists the Government of Nepal, Council of Ministers, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Minister of Communication Rekha Sharma, the recommendation committee, and Bhupendra Bhandari as opponents in the case.