Supreme Court Orders Government to Explain Discrimination Against Conflict Victims

Kathmandu. The Supreme Court has issued a show-cause order in the name of the government, stating that the recent movement's injured have been given special priority while neglecting the victims of the past 10-year armed conflict.

A single bench of Justice Shanti Singh Thapa issued the show-cause order in the name of the government upon preliminary hearing of the writ petition filed by advocate Kumar Prasad Thapaliya on behalf of victim Purna Prasad Poudel. The court has summoned both parties to discuss whether to issue an interim order, considering the seriousness of this case. The petitioner has also demanded an interim order to immediately provide relief and free treatment to conflict victims who are over 60 years old and have serious health problems.

This case, where it is argued that the state should not discriminate in the distribution of justice and relief based on political access and the novelty of the movement, is being viewed with significance in legal circles. Now, the written response submitted by the government and the subsequent debate will determine whether uniformity will come in the facilities received by conflict victims and victims of recent movements.

The writ petition raises a serious question that the state has done 'hierarchical classification' among citizens and violated the constitutional right to equality. The government has immediately provided Rs 1.5 million in relief, monthly living expenses, and free treatment through special help desks in hospitals to the injured and families of the deceased of the Gen Z movement that occurred in Bhadra 2081. However, the writ claims that victims of the armed conflict, who have been suffering from similar pain for 20 years, have been discriminated against by not being provided any relief or treatment.