Constitutional Bench Formed to Hear Petitions Against House Dissolution

The Supreme Court of Nepal has formed a Constitutional Bench to begin hearings on petitions filed against the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
According to court spokesperson Arjun Prasad Koirala, the bench comprises Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, and Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hari Prasad Phuyal, and Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma.

On Bhadra 27 (September 12), President Ramchandra Paudel, acting on the recommendation of the interim government, dissolved the House of Representatives.
In response, 16 writ petitions were filed at the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the dissolution and the appointment of the interim prime minister.

The petitioners have demanded a mandamus order to annul the dissolution and reinstate Parliament, arguing that the move was unconstitutional and beyond the powers of the interim administration.

Among those who filed petitions are:
Advocate Dr. Prem Raj Silwal, Yubaraj Paudel, Advocate Kirtinath Sharma Paudel, Ayush Badal, Makbul Miya, Advocate Khadga Bahadur Shah, Dambar Prasad Shivakoti, Advocate Dal Bahadur Dhami, Prakash Bhujel, and Bipin Dhakal, among others.

The Supreme Court’s regular proceedings were severely disrupted after the Gen-Z movement triggered arson, vandalism, stone-pelting, and looting inside the court premises on Bhadra 24 (September 9).
Following the incident, the court suspended all operations except for habeas corpus and urgent petitions.

The court’s digital system, which had been damaged during the fire, has now been fully restored, and case data have been found intact, spokesperson Koirala confirmed.
At present, the Supreme Court is operating with only five benches in session.

From today, the preliminary hearing of the writ petitions is taking place at the Annex Building’s Constitutional Bench, as the main court building remains under repair.

Earlier, a Full Court meeting, chaired by Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, had decided on Asoj 28 (October 14) to allow the registration and hearing of the House dissolution-related petitions.
Following that decision, a five-member Constitutional Bench was officially constituted to begin the initial hearings today.

Nepal has once again entered a constitutional debate following the dissolution of Parliament.
The Supreme Court’s verdict is expected to define the legality of the dissolution and shape the future of Nepal’s political and constitutional stability.

The ruling from the Constitutional Bench will determine whether the President’s move to dissolve the House was constitutional or unconstitutional, a decision that will have far-reaching implications for Nepal’s democratic governance.