Judge Pokharel to hear writ petition filed against Home Minister Lamichhane

KATHMANDU: The hearing of the writ petition filed against Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane is scheduled to be conducted at the Supreme Court by Judge Sunil Kumar Pokharel.

Anupam Bhattarai filed the petition in the Supreme Court, demanding Lamichhane’s suspension.

Bhattarai argues that Lamichhane’s position as Home Minister could compromise the impartiality of the investigation into the cooperative fraud case.

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, which would be 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.