SC orders evidence submission in contempt case against RSP MPs

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has ordered the petitioner to submit evidence in a contempt of court case filed against 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

A joint bench of Justices Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma and Nripadhwaj Niraula issued the order on Tuesday, asking the petitioner to provide proof supporting the allegations.

Advocate Anup Bhattarai had filed the contempt case, accusing the MPs of attempting to pressure the court during an ongoing investigation through public statements, protests, and mobilizing the masses to obstruct judicial processes.

The petition names RSP Vice Chairs DP Aryal and Dr. Swarnim Waglé, Bagmati Province Chair Dr. Achyut Lamichhane, Acting Spokesperson and MP Manish Jha, and MPs Sumana Shrestha, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, Toshima Karki, Sobita Gautam, Ashok Kumar Chaudhary, Asim Shah, and Ganesh Parajuli as respondents.

It also lists MPs Chanda Karki, Nisha Dangi, Bindabasini Kansakar, Binita Kadayat, Laxmi Tiwari, Shiva Nepali, Shishir Khanal, Santosh Pariyar, and Hari Dhakal as respondents in the case.

The petition alleges that the MPs’ actions and statements hinder the judicial process and violate court decorum.