Hearing on HoR dissolution continues at SC

KATHMANDU, July 1: Hearing on the case related to the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR) continued at the Supreme Court Thursday too. 

Former attorney general Agni Kharel has presented his arguments from the defendant’s side. Senior advocate Surendra Mahato also debated on behalf of the government on Thursday.

The government attorneys finished presenting their arguments on Wednesday and lawyers from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli began their arguments yesterday [Wednesday]. 

A total of 23 lawyers are scheduled to present their arguments from PM Oli’s side and some senior advocates took part in the debate on Wednesday soon after the government attorneys completed their arguments.  

A total of four and half hours is remaining for defending the case from the PM's side as seven hours was allocated to them.  After the completion of PM Oli’s lawyers’ arguments, lawyers from the Speaker  Agni Prasad Sapkota will get time to present their arguments in the bench for an hour.  

After responding to the court’s queries by defendants then amicus curiae will present their arguments on the case.   

The hearing on the case is underway at the constitutional bench led by the chief justice Cholendra Shamsher JB Rana. Along with Rana the bench comprises justices Deepak Kumar Karki, Mira Khadka, Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Dr Ananda Mohan Bhattarai.

Twenty six writ petitions were filed against the dissolution of the House of Representatives. On May 22, President Bidya Devi Bhandari, at the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, dissolved the House of Representatives and fixed November 12 and 19 as the date for mid-term election.

The petitioners seek declaring the President's decision as unconstitutional and illegal, and reinstatement of the House of Representatives.