SC scraps appointment of Koshi Province Chief Minister Thapa

The Supreme Court on Thursday annulled the appointment of Koshi Province Chief Minister Uddhav Thapa.

Hearing the case filed against the Koshi government, a full bench of Justices comprising Ishwor Prasad Khatiwada, Ananda Mohan Bhattarai and Til Prasad Shrestha directed province Chief Parshuram Khapung to take ahead the process to form a new government within seven days.

The apex court issued the order to form the government again as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal.

The CPN-UML on July 7 had filed a writ at the Supreme Court arguing that the new government was formed in the Koshi Province in an illegal way.

UML Chief Whip Rewati Raman Bhandari on behalf of UML Koshi Province Parliamentary Party leader and outgoing chief minister Hikmat Kumar Karki had filed the writ demanding a mandamus order.

Hearing the writ filed against Koshi Province Chief Minister Uddhav Thapa, a joint bench of Justices Sushmalata Mathema and Til Prasad Shrestha issued an order to send the writ to the full bench.

After a preliminary hearing, a single bench of Justice Sapana Malla Pradhan issued an interim order not to take a decision that would have long-term effects on the Koshi Province government.

Province Chief Parshuram Khapung, Chief Minister Thapa and Speaker Baburam Gautam were made defendants.

Thapa was elected as the chief minister with the support of 29 lawmakers of Nepali Congress, 12 of CPN (Maoist Center), four of CPN (Unified Socialist) and one of Janata Samajbadi Party and Speaker Gautam.