A single bench of Officiating Chief Justice Damodar Sharma issued the stay order in response to a writ petition filed by Advocate Tulasi Shimkada on April 1. [break]
In his petition, Shimkhada argued that selling of the premises would be a betrayal of Nepal, which has centuries-old cordial relations with the UK.
The government had formed a committee in November last year asking it to submit a detailed report on the status of the embassy´s properties, determine the price that Nepal may receive and possible legal complications and remedies associated with selling the properties. The committee was given a month´s time to submit its report.
The embassy properties handed over to Nepal in 1938 by the UK government in recognition of the dedication shown by the Gurkhas in the British Army is the most expensive property the country owns abroad.
The bilateral agreement reached between the two governments says Nepal shall pay 100 pounds annually as lease amount for the first 25 years, 1,000 pounds for 25-50 years, 1,500 pounds for 50-70 years and 2,000 pounds a year for 75 to 99 years.
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