Kathmandu: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday concluded a hearing on writs filed against the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
The hearing concluded with arguments from Amicus Curiae of senior advocates Raghav Lal Baidya and Usha Malla from Nepal Bar Association and senior advocate duo Komal Prasad Ghimire and Prakash Bahadur KC from Supreme Bar Association. Earlier today, advocates participated in a reply debate on the behalf of writ petitioners.
The bench will issue a verdict on July 12.
The apex court had set aside 32 hours for the final hearing. Duration for the debate was fixed for the lawyers representing plaintiffs and defendants and amicus curiae to systematize proceedings. The court had allocated 15 hours each for plaintiffs and defendants and two hours for the amicus curiae.
A five-member Constitutional Bench chaired by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JBR that includes Justices Deepak Kumar Karki, Mira Khadka, Ishwor Prasad Khatiwada, and Ananda Mohan Bhattarai conducted a continuous hearing on the case from June 23.
Earlier on June 9, the bench had sought a written clarification from the defendants including the President’s Office and Office of Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers, and called amicus curiae to advise the court. All the defendants including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli have submitted a written response to the court.
Legal practitioners and opposition alliance had moved the court after President Bhandari dissolved the House of Representatives at midnight on May 21 and announced mid-term elections to be held in two phases.
The opposition alliance had moved the court with signatures of 146 lawmakers seeking a mandamus order to reinstate the House of Representatives and appoint Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba as Prime Minister. Writs have been also filed demanding to appoint KP Oli as Prime Minister as per Article 76(5) of the Constitution.
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