KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court today issued an interim order directing not to implement the Minister of Education Ram Chandra Kushwaha’s decision to transfer Dr Upendra Kumar Koirala — vice-chairman of Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) — to the Ministry of Education.

A single bench of Justice Gauri Dhakal issued the order following today’s hearing. The bench also directed the government, Minister Kushwaha and the HSEB to explain on why the decision to transfer him was taken. A15-day ultimatum has been given to submit explanations in black and white.

Challenging the minister’s decision, Dr Koirala had moved the apex court yesterday. Dr Koirala, in his petition, claimed that his transfer was against section 4 (A) (3) of the HSEB Act, 1989.

Stating that the Act has ensured the vice-president to continue the duties for four continuous years after the appointment, Dr Koirala had filed the petition demanding the apex court’s certiorari order to scrap the minister’s decision. He also claimed that such an arbitrary decision would prompt anarchy in the HSEB.