SC issues interlocutory order halting oath of office to three NA members

Kalika Khadka
KATHMANDU, Feb 25: The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday issued an interlocutory order in the name of the Office of the President and Council of Ministers among others not to administer the oath of office and secrecy to the members nominated for the National Assembly (NA)- Dr Yubraj Khatiwada, Ram Narayan Bidari and Dr Bimala Poudel.

In response to a joint writ petition registered by those three people recommended by the erstwhile Sher Bahadur Deuba -led government for the posts, a single bench of Judge Prakashman Singh Raut issued such order.

The order stated that the nomination of three (new) members made by the President seems not in accordance with the constitutional provisions in this regard, ordering not to include the three in the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for March 4. The defendants in the writ have been asked to wait until the issue was finalized through discussions.

Gopal Basnet, Krishna Prasad Poudel and Chandani Joshi last Friday moved the SC, challenging the nominations of three NA members by the President.

The court further said President was not found to have constitutional responsibility to exercise executive rights regarding the NA members’ nominations.