KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) will conduct a hearing today on the writ filed against Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

The hearing is scheduled to be conducted by a joint bench of Judges Binod Sharma and Manoj Kumar Sharma.

Advocate Anupama Bhattarai has lodged a writ at the SC seeking the suspension of Home Minister Lamichhane to halt the investigation into misappropriation in cooperatives.

The petition also seeks to annul the letter from the Attorney General’s Office, which stated that there is no case of cooperative fraud against Lamichhane.

The Attorney General’s Office, Attorney General Dinmani Pokharel, and Home Minister Lamichhane have been named as respondents in the writ.

Bhattarai contends that the roles and responsibilities held by the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister could unduly influence the investigation process and adversely affect it, contrary to the principles of natural justice.

Consequently, an interim order has been requested to suspend Lamichhane from his ministerial position while the investigation is ongoing.

This request has been directed at the Government of Nepal, the Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers.

Previously, the bench consisting of Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Til Prasad Shrestha had directed to summon the charge sheet filed in the Rupandehi District Court concerning the petition seeking Lamichhane’s investigation suspension.

During arguments, the petitioners highlighted that Lamichhane’s name was mentioned in the charge sheet filed in the Rupandehi District Court, along with details of loans taken by him.

In their order, Justices Sharma and Shrestha stated they would prioritize the case according to the earlier directive, removing any confusion regarding the cooperative fraud dispute involving GB Rai.

Today’s hearing will decide whether to issue an interim order in the case.

If the apex court issues an interim order, Home Minister Lamichhane will be suspended.