KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court today summoned Vice President Paramananda Jha to furnish clarification in a contempt of court case against him.

Following today's hearing, a single bench of Justice Rajendra Prasad Koirala issued the notice telling the vice president to attend the court within seven days with written explanation on why he was involved in the contemptuous activity by disobeying the court order.

The bench, however, told that his legal representative could also submit the explanation on his behalf.

The apex court has entitled the case as a criminal offence.

Sanu Babu Shrestha, a local of Thahiti, Kathmandu, who is also a staffer of Nepal Law Centre, filed the petition seeking action against Vice-President Jha who declined to obey the court order.

After the country's apex court on July 24 ordered VP Jha to take a fresh oath in Nepali, saying that the oath taken by him in Hindi language was unconstitutional, the vice president has been publicly claiming that the verdict was biased.

The petitioner also sought an action against Jha on contempt on court charge as per the Supreme Court Act, 1992.

Meanwhile, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav today met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to find out suitable way to resolve the oath row of Vice President Paramananda Jha.

During the meeting, President Yadav urged PM Nepal to look for an appropriate solution as the latter had received the text of the judgment from the Office of the Attorney General for its execution.

"Since the PM is the advisor of the president, he sought his help to find appropriate ways to end the row," Rajendra Dahal, the president's press advisor told The Himalayan Times.

The PM, however, told the President that he would first consult the constitutional experts before finding out appropriate ways to resolve the deadlock, Dahal added. "PM Nepal told the president that he would find out the solution within a few days."

The PM had gone to Shital Niwas Office at 3.40 pm and returned at 5 pm. VP Jha also consulted a number of advocates and sought legal advice.