KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court today issued stay order against the recent order of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to annul one-year-old appointment of around 100 doctors, nurses and other staffs in Bheri Zonal Hospital (BZH).

A single bench of Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha issued the order against the CIAA directive. "Don't implement the CIAA direction till another decision of the apex court," the bench directed following an initial hearing. Responding to a joint writ petition of 85 doctors, nurses and staffs, the bench told the authorities -the Bheri Zonal Hospital Development Committee, Its chairman, Bheri Zonal Hospital, its chief-to attend the apex court in order.

Immediately after the authorities’ move to fire them as per the directives of the anti-graft body, the doctors, nurses and staffs moved the apex court challenging the anti-graft body's decision.

Following its investigation based on complaints, the CIAA had directed the authorities to annul the appointment stating that the appointment did not meet the criteria set by the Public Service Commission as per the right to inclusiveness.

As per the order, the Hospital Development Committee, the Chairman of the Committee and the Chief of the Hospital have asked the doctors, nurses and other staffs to resign.

Stating that the appointment was made without conducting written test, the anti graft body decided to cancel the appointment.

However, the doctors, nurses and staffs claimed that the CIAA does not have the authority to annul their appointment. They also claimed that since they were appointed as permanent staffs and enjoying the facilities, their dismissal would infringe their fundamental rights to get job as well as other civil liberties.