Hearing on House dissolution case to continue today at Supreme Court

KATHMANDU: Hearing on the case of dissolution of House of Representatives (HoR) is to continue today at Supreme Court.

The last hearing had taken place of Wednesday, January 13. It had concluded without a decision as to whether or not to take the case to a grand full bench, as demanded by petitioners.

On Wednesday's hearing, however, the government had disagreed with petitioners’ demand for the grand full bench.

The case is presently being heard by the Constitutional Bench that is led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana and comprises four other justices — Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha, Tej Bahadur KC, Anil Kumar Sinha, and late inclusion Sapana Pradhan Malla.

Justice Malla was included to the bench on Wednesday itself as Justice Hari Krishna Karki rescued himself from the case after conflict of interest for Karki in the case was pointed out by two petitioners — senior advocates Dinesh Tripathi and Shambhu Thapa.

Thirteen petitioners had filed a writ against dismantling of the Lower House. They demanded the formation of a grand full bench. Their lawyers are pleading before the constitutional bench in favour of formation of the full bench.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, on December 20, recommended the dissolution of House of Representatives which was approved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari along with announcement of mid-term elections in April-May 2021.