Application filed against SC's rejection of contempt of court case

KATHMANDU, MAR 03 - An application was filed at the Supreme Court against the apex court administration's rejection of a contempt of court case against Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi.

Applicant Sunil Ranjan Singh maintained that the grounds on which his case was rejected were invalid.

Hearing on the application has been scheduled for Tuesday.

Applicant Singh had tabled a case at the apex court on Wednesday, two days after the court issued a press release on CJ Regmi's behalf, saying that he was 'positive' on assuming the post of the executive head to lead an election government and provide outlet to the current political impasse.

Singh argued that Regmi's statement contradicted the principle of separation of powers and compromised the independence of the judiciary, in addition to violating the code of conduct for justices. The application was under consideration at the SC administration before being rejected on Thursday.

Furthermore, Singh argued that CJ Regmi's statement clearly states his intention to take up the post of the executive. In last Monday's statement, CJ Regmi had indicated a positive stance but had said that he would await the SC's decision on a petition challenging the proposal to form a poll government under the CJ. The court, which has already sought clarifications from the government, has scheduled a special bench hearing on the writ on March 7.