Interim order against Baral's appointment

Kathmandu - The Supreme Court has issued an order in the name of Bhawani Baral not to work as Chairman of Nepal Press Council, while asking the latter to keep Baral without responsibility as its Chairman.

A division bench of Justices Deepak Raj Joshi and Tej Bahadur KC issued the order Tuesday.

Questioning the Baral's qualification for the appointment of Chairman at Press Council, advocates Baikuntha Bhandari, Ram Kapali and others had filed separate writ petitions two months back.

Baral was appointed by government led by Chairman of CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

The writ petitioners had argued that the appointment was illegal.

As per the provision one needs to be senior advocate, or former chief justice, or senior journalist to be appointed as Chairman of the Council.

The writ petitioners had reiterated that Baral lacked qualification as per the Press Council provision.