After hearings on the writ petition filed by Giri, a division bench of justices Ram Kumar Prasad Shah and Girish Chandra Lal said that Giri-led party is the legitimate one as it had held its general convention in the presence of late Anandi Devi Singh. [break]
The apex court has also maintained that there could be “political game” behind the Election Commission (EC)´s deciding thrice to authenticate Shyam Sundar Gupta-led Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi).
The three factions led by Giri, Gupta and Khusilal Mandal had separately held general conventions in 2007 but EC on March 13, 2009 had ruled in favor of the Gupta-led Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi).
A couple of weeks after the EC´s decision, Giri moved the SC challenging the decision. Responding to a writ petition filed by Giri, a division bench of former Chief Justice Anup Raj Sharma and Justice Awadhesh Kumar Yadav had scrapped the EC decision.
However, EC on May 10, 2010 again upheld its earlier decision stating that Giri-led party is not the legitimate one.
Following the EC decision, Giri again challenged the move. A division bench of Justices Balram KC and Bharat Raj Uprety on February 11, 2011 had again annulled the EC´s decision.
The constitutional body yet again on July 19, 2011 stated that the Gupta-led Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi) is the legitimate organization. Giri for the third time on March 1, 2012 challenged the EC´s decision and moved the apex court. And, the SC on Wednesday issued a mandamus order recognizing the Giri-led Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi).
Responding to a separate writ petition filed by Mandal at the SC on September 14, 2011, justices Shah and Lal turned down Mandal claim´s that the Sadbhawana (Anandi Devi) belonged to him.
Talking to Republica after SC verdict, Giri said, “The issue was highly politicized by EC but justice has finally been done,” adding, “The organization has got a new life.”
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