KATHMANDU: Supreme Court of Nepal on Tuesday summoned Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on a contempt of court writ filed by advocate Dinesh Tripathi.

Arguing that Dahal’s recent public statements that criticised the judiciary for issuing verdicts on the conflict-era cases were tantamount to the contempt of court, Tripathi had move the apex court.  The petitioner has demanded maximum punishment, which includes one year jail term, to the former prime minister, who is the top leader of one of the ruling parties.

After a preliminary hearing today, a single bench of Acting Chief Justice Sushila Karki summoned the former prime minister to be present before the apex court and reply within three days, according to Tripathi.

The Section 7 of the Supreme Court Act deals with the contempt of court.

Section 7: Contempt of Supreme Court and Subordinate Courts

(1) Supreme Court may impose punishment up to one year imprisonment or fine up to ten thousand rupees or both to the person convicted, in case wherein the Supreme Court has initiated the proceeding of its own contempt or contempt of subordinate courts or judicial authorities

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-Section (1), if the accused or convict apologize to the satisfaction of the court, the Supreme Court may pardon or excuse, remit the punishment imposed or may suspend the punishment with conditions determined by the Court and if the conditions as are fulfilled the court may order not to execute the penalty

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