Supreme Court Orders Interim Stay on Demolition of Little Steps School Building

Pokhara. The Supreme Court has issued an interim order not to touch the structure of Little Steps School, constructed at its Khola Ghar within the Phirke River. The school had filed a writ at the Supreme Court stating that the building constructed according to its approved map was being demolished.

After preliminary hearing on the petition, the court ordered not to cause any obstruction to the building immediately. Justice Shanti Singh Thapa's single bench issued a short-term interim order as per Rule 49(2)(B) of the Supreme Court Regulations, 2074, and ordered to issue a notice to the respondents.

School Principal Dr. Kailash Timilsina had filed the writ stating that some time was needed to make arrangements. In the petition, it is claimed that although they do not oppose the removal of encroached structures, the school building constructed according to the approved map within their registered records was being marked and demolished unilaterally without any prior information.

‘It was found that the petitioner does not oppose the removal of encroached structures, but the school building structure was being bulldozed and demolished unilaterally by marking it without informing, despite being constructed according to the approved map within their registered records,’ the court order states.

Both parties have been summoned for further discussion on Jestha 25. Before that, the court has also issued a show-cause order to the respondents. ‘Why should the order not be issued as per the petitioner's request? If the order should not be issued, submit a written response within 15 days with the basis and reason thereof,’ the order states. Pokhara Metropolis has been continuously running the Khola Ghar clearing campaign since Sunday.