The petitioners have argued that the government´s move Tuesday to register the bill violates the apex court´s earlier ruling on the issue of CA term extension. [break]The petitions were lodged by Balkrishna Neupane and Bharat Mani Jangam, Raj Kumar Rana, Chandra Lal Shrestha and Jagadev Chaudhary, and Kanchan Krishna Neupane. A separate petition was lodged by Kamal Prasad Etani seeking action against the government for contempt of court.
The government had registered the bill seeking amendment to article 64 of the interim constitution after the parties agreed on Tuesday to extend the CA term by another three months.
The SC in November had ruled that the CA term cannot be extended beyond May 27. It also suggested three alternatives -- referendum, election and other constitutional alternatives - if the CA failed to draft the new constitution within the May 27 deadline.
All four petitions have invoked article 116 of the interim constitution which makes all verdicts of the Supreme Court binding on the parties concerned.
The petitioners have sought an interim order against the government´s move.
NBA to stage demonstrations
The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has protested the bill saying the government´s move is a blatant violation of the rule of law. NBA has also decided to stage nation-wide demonstrations against the bill on Friday.
At a press meeting on Wednesday, NBA also warned that it would take to the streets if the bill is not scrapped.
“The bill intends to defy the SC verdict,” said NBA Chairman Prem Bahadur Khadka. NBA has even requested President Dr Ram Baran Yadav not to give his assent to the bill.
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