SC to hear case against Koshi Province govt today

Published On: June 23, 2024 03:47 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, June 23: The Supreme Court (SC) is set to hear a writ petition challenging the formation of the Koshi Province government. The petition was filed by former chief minister (CM) of the province, Kedar Karki. Karki argued that the current government is unconstitutional as per Article 168(5) of the Constitution.

The case will be heard by a full bench of justices Kumar Regmi, Nhakul Subedi, and Abdhul Ajij Musalman. This follows a previous rescheduling due to inconclusive proceedings last Thursday.

Earlier, Justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Balkrishna Dhakal directed the case to a full bench for further review. Former CM Kedar Karki seeks the removal of CM Hikmat Karki and his reinstatement.

Defendants in the petition include the Office of the Province Chief, Koshi Province Chief Parasuram Khapung, and Koshi Province Assembly Speaker Amar Bahadur Bista. Chief Minister Hikmat Karki took office with the support of 52 MPs from the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center), as identified by Province Chief Khapung under Article 168 (5) of the Constitution.