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A federal judge on Monday questioned whether the Trump administration ignored his orders to turn around planes carrying deportees to El Salvador, a possible violation of the decision he’d issued minutes before, Associated Press reported.

District Judge James E. Boasberg was incredulous over the administration’s contentions that his verbal directions did not count, that only his written order needed to be followed, that it couldn’t apply to flights that had left the U.S. and that the administration could not answer his questions about the deportations due to national security issues.

“That’s one heck of a stretch, I think,” Boasberg replied, noting that the administration knew as the planes were departing that he was about to decide whether to briefly halt deportations being made under a rarely used 18th century law invoked by Trump about an hour earlier.

“I’m just asking how you think my equitable powers do not attach to a plane that has departed the U.S., even if it’s in international airspace,” Boasberg added at another point.

Deputy Associate Attorney General Abhishek Kambli contended that only Boasberg’s short written order, issued about 45 minutes after he made the verbal demand, counted. It did not contain any demands to reverse planes, and Kambli added that it was too late to redirect two planes that had left the U.S. by that time.

“These are sensitive, operational tasks of national security,” Kambli said.

The hearing over what Boasberg called the “possible defiance” of his court order marked the latest step in a high-stakes legal fight that began when President Donald Trump invoked the 1798 wartime law to remove immigrants over the weekend. It was also an escalation in the battle over whether the Trump administration is flouting court orders that have blocked some of his aggressive moves in the opening weeks of his second term, according to the Associated Press.

“There’s been a lot of talk about constitutional crisis, people throw that word around. I think we’re getting very close to it,” warned Lee Gelernt of the ACLU, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, during the Monday hearing. After the hearing, Gelernt said the ACLU would ask Boasberg to order all improperly deported people returned to the United States.

Boasberg said he’d record the proceedings and additional demands in writing. “I will memorialize this in a written order since apparently my oral orders don’t seem to carry much weight,” Boasberg said.

On Saturday night, Boasberg ordered the administration not to deport anyone in its custody through the newly-invoked Alien Enemies Act, which has only been used three times before in U.S. history, all during congressionally declared wars. Trump issued a proclamation that the law was newly in effect due to what he claimed was an invasion by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, Associated Press reported.

Nabaraj Subedi, a Panchayat-era leader who also is the coordinator of the recently-formed Joint People’s Movement Committee for the restoration of the monarchy, announced that he will no longer remain a general member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). Eighty-six years old Subedi, who is regarded as a close ally of former King Gyanendra Shah, made this statement during a press conference following a gathering of pro-monarchy supporters in Kathmandu on Monday.

“I will no longer be a general member of the RPP starting today. I am working toward bringing back the monarchy,” Subedi declared. He stressed that political parties should work together to run the state effectively. Subedi elaborated that the ‘New Understanding’ is a concept where the monarchy would serve as a symbol of national peace, stability, social harmony, religion, culture, tradition, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He called the political parties to address this proposal promptly, warning that neglecting it would not be in line with Nepal’s past movements for change.

In a statement, Subedi emphasized that if pro-monarchy agendas were misunderstood or misinterpreted, it would come at a high cost. His demands include the restoration of the constitutional monarchy, re-establishment of the Hindu kingdom, the abolition of federalism, anti-corruption measures and good governance.

Drawing from the recent developments in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Syria, Subedi expressed concern that suppressing the voices of the people could lead to undesirable circumstances, as seen in those countries.  “We want to reiterate that we are proponents of peace and non-violence. We desire a monarchy based on the supremacy of the people. However, if our peaceful stance is seen as a weakness and our agendas are misinterpreted, resulting in major political parties retaliating, the consequences could be severe,” the statement warned.

Subedi’s ‘New Understanding’ envisions a peaceful transition through a constitutional monarchy that upholds national unity and integrity.

However, the effort to unite former monarchists under a single banner has not made much headway with intense disagreements among them over who should lead the movement. After the former King proposed the leadership of Subedi for the restoration of the monarchy, RPP leadership, the fifth largest party in the Parliament, indicated its rejection. In a central executive committee meeting called by RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden on Sunday, the majority of senior party leaders opposed the 86-year-old Subedi, whom the former king had endorsed.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Krishna Prasad Sitaula has said that there should be no delay in amending the Constitution as per the requirement.

Speaking during the 'Special Time' in the meeting of the upper house of the Federal Parliament today, Sitaula said the implementation of the Constitution should be reviewed to take the country forward.

"How much have we achieved what have we given to the people through the implementation of the constitution? Let us seriously review whether we have been able to use it properly in the interest of the people or not,” he said.

Lawmaker Sitaula insisted that if there is any flaw in the State governance system or weakness in the Constitution it should be amended.

"It is necessary to review whether we have been able to implement the rights guaranteed in the constitution or not," he added.

Stressing on the need for completing the task of giving justice to the conflict victims at the earliest, he said: "Speedy justice needs to be delivered. We fought together (for the republic), reached an understanding, brought change and the constitution. Now we have to solve the problem together.”

Stating that the determination that should have been seen in the transformative political parties was not seen, he said the time has come for all to stand united.

Government's activities should be people-oriented: Lawmaker Aryal Similarly, CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Urmila Aryal has said the government's activities should be people-oriented.

Saying that there has been disappointment among the people in the recent past as the government's activities have not been pro-people, she said the State should be aware of it.

According to her, although the Constitution was drafted with understanding to address the rights of all sections after the movement of 2006/2007, there was a challenge in effective implementation.

"We make promises when we form the government, but when we come to power, we all forget what we have promised to the people. The purpose with which the movement was made, it has not been implemented. The failure to implement these objectives has caused disappointment among the people," she pointed.

Aryal suggested the government to focus on how the common people get happiness instead of being power-oriented.

She said that the rights given by the constitution should be reviewed further. Emphasis on promotion of free, compulsory and universal education Maya Prasad Sharma has drawn the attention of the government to fulfill the demands of the agitating teachers, stressing on the promotion of free compulsory and accessible education.

He said that the right to compulsory education up to the basic level and the free education up to the secondary level has not been implemented.

Sharma said unity among the pro-republic parties was necessary for the implementation of the republic.

Tulasa Kumari Dahal said that remittances sent by workers going for foreign employment should be properly utilized and it is necessary to include these workers in the contribution-based social security fund.

She stressed on the need of creating employment in the country by keeping the economy active, promoting technical education, identifying agriculture and tourism sectors and creating an environment of employment.

Call for probe into Saurya Airlines crash

Ghanshyam Rijal demanded a fact-finding inquiry into the accident of Saurya Airlines that crashed in July last year.

"Eight months have passed by since the plane crashed, but we have not been able to prepare a report after investigating it. The relatives of the deceased are demanding an inquiry. I would like to draw the attention of the government to address their demands," he said.

Renu Chand also stressed that there should be no delay in investigating the Saurya Airlines plane crash. Krishna Bahadur Rokaya said the teachers were agitating and stressed the need of holding talks with them and fulfilling their demands.

Rukmini Koirala has objected to the idea of legalising sex trade, stating that some people were trying to establish a false narrative saying so.

Similarly, lawmakers Bishnu Kumari Sapkota, Bishnu Devi Pudasaini, Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma, Krishna Prasad Adhikari and Padam Bahadur Pariyar also raised various issues related to the development construction and people's livelihood. 

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that it should be made clear by a law whether to provide the state facilities to former VIPs.

In his response to the topics raised by lawmakers during a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Home Minister apprised that there is no law granting the facilities to the former VIPs and the government has been proceeding with the formulation of laws towards that end following the advice from the court, Office of the Auditor General and the parliamentary committees.

"It will cause no additional burden on the State coffer to grant such facilities."

He argued that the government is aware of the need to avoid unnecessary economic burden on the State and recognize the citizens' sentiments while proposing the draft bill regarding such facilities. "The government believes that the taxes paid by the citizens should be spent lawfully."

In his replies to queries over the Pathibhara cable car construction project, he said the government has expected the roles with responsibilities from all quarters to resolve the disputes through dialogue peacefully. "The government is ready to address social, religious, and cultural concerns of agitating sides and the locals.  Presently, the area has been guarded by a security force with high patience."

According to the Minister, disaster management, preparedness for potential incidents of fire,

Fair investigation into the cases of crimes reported from various parts of the country, reduction of road accidents, better treatment for the injury cases, and compensation to the affected are the priorities of the Ministry.

The control of cross-border crime between Nepal and India, the safety of Nepali and Indian citizens along the border areas, and smooth and decent movement of the citizens are the agenda of a coordination meeting held frequently among the security forces of the two countries.

 "We have implemented measures accordingly.  The border surveillance by security forces has been intensified. The government is planning to add seven more border outposts this year. Measures against smuggling have been intensified. A zero tolerance has been adopted against smuggling."

The Home Minister further said no inhumane treatment and torture at the Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre is accepted.

He also pointed out the need to increase the security workforce in Dailekh, adding that the issues of citizens in Siraha, Rautahat, and other districts are under investigation.

"The government has initiated actions to prevent any untoward incidents in the Child Correction Home in a sustainable way."  The government is much committed to ensuring peace and security by the maximum utilization of available resources, according to the Minister.