Kathmandu, January 17:

The Supreme Court today stayed government action against Blue Moon Overseas Nepal Pvt Ltd, the licence of which was scrapped by the government one-and-a-half month ago, accusing it of illegally sending labourers to Iraq.

A division bench of justices Sharada Prasad Pundit and Ram Kumar Prasad Shah issued the order following today’s hearing on a case filed by the manpower company against the government decision. The SC also said the order would continue till it issues a final decision on the case. The bench said that the decision to scrap the licence of the company should not be implemented as there would remain noone to bear the liabilities of the company owner if his licence is scrapped.

During today’s hearing, lawyers Harihar Dahal, Agni Kharel and Phadindra Thapa pleaded on behalf of the petitioner and government attorney Surendra Thapa defended the government action. Chairman of the company Ghanendra Raj Shrestha had filed a writ petition challenging the government decision. The Ministry of Labour and Transport Management and the Department of Labour and Employment were defendants in the case.