Hearing on HoR dissolution continues in SC

Kathmandu, 1 July (2021) - Hearing on the case related to the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR) has begun in the Constitutional Bench in Supreme Court today too. Former attorney general Agni Kharel has presented his arguments from government (defendant)’s side.    

The government attorneys had completed presenting their arguments on Wednesday and lawyers from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli have begun their arguments from yesterday. 

A total 23 lawyers are scheduled to present their arguments from PM Oli’s side and some senior advocates have presented their arguments on Wednesday soon after the government attorneys completed their arguments.  

A total of four and half hours is remaining for defending the case from PM’s side as seven hours was allocated to them.  After the completion of PM Oli’s lawyers’ arguments, lawyers from the Speaker will get time to present their arguments in the bench for an hour.  

After responding to the court’s queries by defendants then amicus curiae will begin their arguments on the case.   

The hearing on the case is underway at the Constitutional Bench led by the chief justice Cholendra Shamsher JB Rana and comprising justices Deepak Kumar Karki, Mira Khadka, Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Dr Ananda Mohan Bhattarai.

Thirty writs were filed against the dissolution of the House of Representatives. On May 22, President Bidya Devi Bhandari had, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, dissolved the House of Representatives and fixed November 12 and 19 as the date for mid-term election.

The writs seek declaring the President's this decision as unconstitutional and illegal, and reinstatement of the House of Representatives.