SC issues show cause notice to PM Dahal, speaker

Kathmandu, December 8

The Supreme Court today issued show cause notice to Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on a case filed against the registration of constitution amendment bill in the Parliament.

Advocate Tika Dhwoj Khadka had filed the case a few days ago against the speaker, the prime minister, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Parliament Secretariat and minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs arguing that revision of provincial boundaries was not allowed by the constitution without the consent of the provincial assembly concerned.

The writ petitioner had argued that since provincial assemblies had not been formed yet, any revision in provincial boundaries was not possible. The government registered the constitution amendment bill seeking revision in the provincial boundaries and the provision relating to representation in the Upper House, among others.

The government recently registered a constitution amendment bill to create another Tarai province from Nawalparasi Bardghat west to Bardiya in an attempt to address the issues raised by the Federal Alliance and the United Democratic Madhesi Front. These Tarai districts are currently in Province 5.

A single bench of Justice Jagadish Sharma Paudel passed the order. Another hearing in the case has been scheduled for December 20 when the court will decide whether or not an interim order can be issued in the case as demanded by the petitioner. The defendants will have to present their arguments against the claims of the petitioner on December 20.