SC orders written responses from RSP leaders in contempt case

Kathmandu, December 10 — The Supreme Court has directed the leaders of Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to provide written responses in a contempt of court case.

A joint bench of Supreme Court justices Binod Sharma and Mahesh Sharma Paudel issued the order on Tuesday, asking the leaders of RSP to submit written replies.

The petition, filed by lawyer Anupam Bhattarai, accused the RSP leaders of publicly making statements that defamed the court, particularly in relation to Rabi Lamichhane, who is under investigation. Bhattarai argued that these statements harmed the reputation of the judiciary.

Previously, the Supreme Court had ordered RSP leaders to submit the controversial speeches that were allegedly made in contempt of court. After the petitioner submitted a transcript of the speeches, the court scheduled a hearing for further proceedings.

Initially, the contempt petition had been rejected by the Supreme Court administration. However, after the petitioner filed a request in the bench, it was accepted and registered.

The contempt petition claims that central leaders of RSP, including members of parliament, mocked the judicial process by holding a public meeting and spreading baseless and false information about the judiciary, creating confusion among the public about the independent judiciary.

The contempt petition names RSP's members of parliament, including Swarnim Wagle, spokesperson Manish Jha, Sumana Shrestha, Birajbhakta Maharjan, Toshima Karki, and Sobita Gautam, as defendants.

The Supreme Court has ordered written responses from all those named in the petition.