Rastriya Swatantra Party Leader Balen Shah Appears in Supreme Court for Contempt Case

Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balendra Shah (Balen), has appeared at the Supreme Court to receive a date for his contempt of court case. Supreme Court spokesperson Arjun Prasad Koirala informed that he received the date immediately after taking the oath as a Member of Parliament at Singha Durbar, while still in the same attire.

Three years ago, Balen became incensed after the Patan High Court issued an interim order against the Metropolitan City, directing cinema hall operators not to stop screening Hindi films. Advocate Barsha Kumari Jha filed a contempt of court case against Balen, alleging that he made objectionable defamatory remarks on social media, linking the court and the government with the neighboring friendly nation, India.

In this case, the joint bench of Supreme Court Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Hari Phuyal refused Balen's request to appoint a representative (Waris) for the date. Because the Supreme Court mandated his personal appearance for the court date, Balen appeared at the Supreme Court himself.

At that time, Balen had written on social media: 'When it comes to the sovereignty and independence of the nation, I will not abide by any law or court. Once the film writer says that Nepal was under the control of India, their intentions become clear. The fact that the Nepal government calls this a stunt and the court allows the film to run means that Nepal was under India's control, and it is understood that the court and the government are slaves to India. I am ready to face any punishment for this, but the film will not run, nor will it be allowed to run.'