KATHMANDU, June 10: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interim order in the name of the government  not to implement the Ordinance on Citizenship. 

The apex court issued the order after conducting a preliminary hearing on the writ petitions filed against the decision of the government to introduce Citizenship Ordinance. A five-member Constitutional Bench headed by Chief Justice Cholednra Shumsher-led passed the order asking the government to make necessary arrangements to distribute citizenship certificates based on the Citizenship Act endorsed duly by parliament. 

As many as six writ petitions were registered at the Supreme Court challenging the ordinance issued by President Bidya Devi Bhandari, on May 23, at the recommendation of the Council of the Ministers. 

Chief Justice Rana formed the five-member Constitutional Bench comprising Justices Dipak Kumar Karki, Mira Khadka, Hari Krishna Karki and Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada. 

The petitioners demanded the Supreme Court dismiss the ordinance as it contradicts the Constitution of Nepal. The government, however, defended the ordinance as a legal base to  commensurate the provisions mentioned in the constitution.

 
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