Nepal SC issues notice over move to form CJ-led election govt

Nepal's Supreme Court today issued a show-cause notice to the President, government and major political parties over their move to form a Chief Justice-led election government to conduct Constituent Assembly polls.
During the preliminary hearing of a writ challenging the proposal, Justice Sushila Karki issued the order demanding that the defendants, including President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Maoist chief Prachanda and four major political parties, furnish a written explanation within nine days (by March 5).
Advocate Bharat Jangam had filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court last week challenging the decision of four major political parties --UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) -- to form a government headed by Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi.

A single bench of Justice Karki asked the defendants to furnish their clarification by March 5, in response to the writ petition filed by Jangam, who argued that the decision made by the four major political parties was against the spirit of Interim Constitution and would encroach on the independence of judiciary.
Some fringe pasties including CPN-Maoist, the break away faction of UCPN-Maoist have also opposed the decision to form the election government under the Chief Justice.
As per today's court ruling, the final verdict on the petition will be issued following a discussion on March 7 in front of a special bench after the defendants furnish their written clarification.