KATHMANDU, Nov 29: The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the petitioners to submit a video as evidence in the contempt of court case filed against the central vice-chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Swarnim Wagale, and other leaders, who have been accused of making statements disrespecting the court.
A joint bench of justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Nripa Dhwoj Niroula has ordered the petitioner to provide evidence. In the case, 20 individuals, including RSP lawmakers, have been named as respondents. Advocate Anupam Bhattarai had filed a petition at the Supreme Court, accusing central leaders of the RSP of making contemptuous remarks during a speech in Pokhara as part of a protest.
"The petitioner is directed to promptly submit the full text of the document along with the video clip and a transcript of the video as presented with the petition," the Supreme Court stated in a short order issued on Tuesday.
Contempt case filed against RSP vice-chairperson, 20 others
After former home minister Lamichhane's arrest, the RSP held a protest in Pokhara. The petitioner claims that all RSP lawmakers committed contempt of court during the protest. The petitioner argues that the legislators made baseless remarks about the court and justices, thereby disrespecting the judiciary.
The petitioner claims that individuals holding positions in the federal parliament have engaged in contempt of court. It has been requested that they be subjected to the harshest possible punishment.
The petition states that if anyone spreads baseless propaganda about a judge with the intent to prevent the court from delivering justice independently and impartially, it can significantly lower the judge's morale and have a strong likelihood of influencing the order or verdict.
The writ petition states, "Given that the attached documents and media coverage are a priority, it is assumed that the court is also aware of this matter. As elected lawmakers, who should work for the rights and interests of the people, society, and the nation, they have exhibited a corrupt mindset aimed at influencing ongoing court cases. By organizing protests, rallies, meetings, and events against the court and the government, they have severely damaged the concept of independent judiciary."
The petition further states, "The crowd, which was mobilized with demands for the release of individuals under investigation or involved in ongoing cases, has created an obstruction in the judicial process. By chanting slogans using rhetoric that the judiciary is not independent, they have conveyed a negative message about the dignity of the court."
