SC issues show-cause order in NRN dispute

Kathmandu, October 30 — The Supreme Court has issued a show-cause order in response to a writ petition filed against a general assembly conducted by a group of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).

On Wednesday, a single bench of Justice Balakrishna Dhakal ordered the opposing party to submit a written response within 15 days, requesting the reasons for holding the general assembly. On October 26 and 27, a faction led by Badri KC of the NRNA scheduled the assembly, prompting three individuals, including RK Sharma, who leads another group within the NRNA, to file the writ on October 22.

The writ, naming the NRNA secretariat, Badri KC, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as respondents, claimed that the activities, including the general assembly, were illegal, especially since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent a letter to hold a unity convention.

The Sharma group argued that the previous order from the Supreme Court did not grant the Badri KC group the authority to conduct activities and requested an interim order to halt their actions.

According to Achyut Kuinkel, spokesperson for the Supreme Court, the court has sought a response regarding the reasons for not participating in the unity convention and holding a separate general assembly. In accordance with the ruling on March 4, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs communicated to conduct a unity convention under the leadership of former chairman Shesh Ghale on October 17. However, the KC group ignored this letter and proceeded with their general assembly.

Following the court's order, the opposing party will submit their response, after which a subsequent hearing will be scheduled on this matter.

Meanwhile, the Badri KC faction has stated that they have already completed the general assembly amidst the ongoing dispute. It is expected that the court will issue a ruling regarding the legality of the general assembly in the next hearing. Despite the Supreme Court's order on March 4 to hold a unity convention to unify the currently divided NRNA into three factions, the dispute remains unresolved.