KATHMANDU: A group of outgoing Nepali Congress (NC) Members of Parliament (MPs) is set to approach the Supreme Court today (Thursday), urging it to deliver a verdict on the writ petition seeking the restoration of Parliament before the upcoming elections.
President Ram Chandra Paudel dissolved Parliament on September 12 on the recommendation of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who was appointed following the Gen-Z protests. At the same time, elections were scheduled for March 5 on the government’s recommendation.
Outgoing MPs, led by Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire, filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court on December 9, challenging the dissolution. Ghimire said the petition has yet to be heard and that a delegation will visit the Court on Thursday to draw attention to the delay.
With elections to the House of Representatives approaching, the writ petition has not reached a final hearing, according to Ghimire adding, “Whether the decision goes in our favor or against us, it should be finalized before the polls.”
He said the Supreme Court has a constitutional responsibility to interpret such matters and informed that all outgoing MPs who filed the petition have been invited to join the delegation. According to him, the team will visit the Supreme Court at 11 am on Thursday.
The team is expected to meet Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and formally draw his attention to the issue, for which prior time has already been requested.
Writ petitions demanding the restoration of Parliament were also filed by the CPN-UML and several legal practitioners. The Supreme Court consolidated all related petitions and held a preliminary hearing on December 17, directing the respondents to submit written replies within 15 days. A general hearing date for the case has been set for February 3.
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