Supreme Court to hear case against Koshi government today

KATHMANDU: Today, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a writ petition challenging the Koshi government’s formation.

Former Chief Minister Kedar Karki filed the petition, arguing that the current government’s formation is unconstitutional under sub-section (5) of Article 168 of the Constitution.

The hearing will be conducted by a full bench of judges comprising Kumar Regmi, Nhakul Subedi, and Abdhul Ajij Musalman, following a rescheduling due to inconclusive proceedings in a previous session last Thursday.

Earlier, Justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Balkrishna Dhakal directed the case to the full bench for further review after an initial hearing.

Karki’s petition seeks the removal of Chief Minister Hikmat Karki and his own reinstatement to the position of Chief Minister.

Respondents named in the writ include the Office of the State Chief, Koshi State Chief Parasuram Khapung, and Koshi State Assembly Speaker Amar Bahadur Bista.

Chief Minister Hikmat Karki assumed office with the support of 52 MPs from the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center, following their identification by Provincial Chief Khapung, as per clause (5) of Article 168 of the Constitution.