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Chief Justice (CJ) Prakashman Singh Raut clarified that there was no dispute in the formation of the constitutional bench.

He delivered this remark in the wake of formation of the constitutional bench comprising CJ Raut and senior-most justices Sapana Malla, Dr Nahakul Subedi, Til Prasad Shrestha and Binod Sharma today.

CJ Raut asserted that he formed the bench by exercising the constitutional rights to appoint four justices in the constitutional bench.

It may be noted that the Article 137 of Nepal's constitution has provision for constitutional bench. 

Talking to media persons, CJ Raut reiterated, "There is no dispute in the formation of the constitutional bench.” 

He explained, "The Constitution itself has granted the Chief Justice the constitutional authority to form the bench and I formed the bench exercising it."

Expressing his concern over the misconceptions being spread regarding the formation of the constitutional bench, he clarified, "The Constitution has clear provision on the formation of the constitutional bench. I am effortful to make the court dignified, transparent and accountable and uphold the judiciary's integrity."

According to him, the earlier Full Court (full meeting) of the Supreme Court had discussed ways to make the constitutional bench more organized and no disagreement arose regarding its formation.

The constitutional bench, which had been inactive for some time, resumed its operations today. 

Currently, there are 228 cases under consideration in the bench.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has vowed to dismantle factionalism in the party. He also claimed that public trust was growing in the party. 

In an audiovisual message to the full meeting of the party's Karnali Province, Chairman Dahal reminded that the Standing Committee meeting of the party had made a resolution to make the party strong and unified by ending groupism, anarchy and conflict in the party. 

Dahal characterized the victory of party leaders at local levels, student unions and the Nepal Mountaineering Association as the symbol of rising public trust in the party, according to Dahal's personal secretariat. 

The 10th Central Committee meeting of the CPN-UML called for August 29 has been postponed. 

UML Central Publicity Department Chief, Rajendra Gautam shared that the meeting set for August 29 at the central office in Chyasal, Lalitpur has been adjourned. 

The pre-set meeting has been postponed due to inadequate preparations, he shared. 

It may be noted that the UML had called the meeting meant for gearing up preparations for its second statutory convention. 

There was an agenda to present the report with recommendations on party statute amendment at the Central Committee, but it is still continuing, so the meeting has to be put off, Gautam added. 

A fresh date for the meeting will be fixed  soon, he said. 

The party has set August 27 as the deadline for its subordinate committees to submit recommendations on the statute amendment. 

President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged King Abdullah II of Jordan to take necessary initiative for the release of Bipin Joshi, a resident of Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur, who has allegedly been taken hostage by Hamas, a Palestinian armed group.

In an official message dispatched to the Jordanian monarch on Tuesday, President Paudel requested immediate efforts to ascertain Joshi’s present status, ensure his safe release, and facilitate his return to Nepal. 

The President said that Nepal would deeply appreciate any humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives undertaken by King Abdullah II in this regard.

Earlier on Sunday, Bipin's mother and sister called on President Paudel and appealed for his support in securing his release. 

In response, the President assured them that he would make all possible efforts to that end.