KATHMANDU, Nov 14: A contempt case has been filed at the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday against Dr Swarnim Wagle, central vice-chairperson of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and other leaders, accusing them of making statements that undermine the court.
The SC has scheduled a preliminary hearing for November 18. The case lists 20 individuals, including all RSP lawmakers, as defendants.
The petitioner claims that the lawmakers engaged in baseless propaganda against the court and judges, constituting contempt of court. The petitioner argues that individuals holding positions in the Federal Parliament acted in ways that undermine the judiciary and has demanded the harshest punishment against them.
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The petition states that spreading unfounded allegations about any judge with the intent of obstructing the court from delivering justice in an independent and impartial manner could significantly lower the judge's morale and potentially influence rulings or decisions.
Advocate Anupam Bhattarai had submitted a petition to the SC, stating that RSP central officials made statements during a speech at a protest in Pokhara that amounted to contempt of court.
The SC administration had initially issued a rejection order, deeming the contempt case unfit for registration. However, the bench overturned this and ordered the contempt case to be registered. The RSP had staged a protest in Pokhara following the arrest of former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane. The petitioner claims that all RSP lawmakers committed contempt of court during the protest.
“The petition states, “It is assumed that the court itself is aware of this matter, given that evidence is attached and the issue has been given priority in the media.” It further mentions, “Instead of working for the rights and interests of the people, society, and the country, as expected of lawmakers responsible for creating laws, they have demonstrated a corrupt mentality aimed at influencing a pending trial. By organizing protests, gatherings, and assemblies against the court and the government, they have seriously harmed the concept of an independent judiciary.”
“The petition states, “The crowd gathered with demands for the release of individuals under investigation and in connection with a sub judice case has created an obstruction to the judicial process. By using slogans implying that the judiciary is not independent, a negative message is being conveyed, undermining the dignity of the court.”
The petitioner claims that an attempt was made to weaken the entire judiciary by creating unjustified misconceptions about judges, thereby obstructing the right of ordinary citizens to receive fair justice from an independent and competent judiciary. The contempt allegation arose from leaders making reckless statements during protests following the detention of Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane for investigation into cooperative fraud.
