SC refuses to issue interim order on Citizenship Bill, seeks reasons from President’s Office

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has refused to issue an interim order on the writs filed against President Bidya Devi Bhandari demanding a directive to obligate her to authenticate the Citizenship Bill.

During the hearing held on Sunday, a single bench of Justice Hari Phuyal sought reasons from the Office of the President for not certifying the bill.

Five writs had been filed at the Supreme Court demanding an order in the name of the President’s office for the authentication of the bill to amend the Citizenship Act.

Dev Sharma, Shonu Rauniyar and advocate Sunil Kumar Yadav have filed separate writs while advocates Sagar Baral and Sunil Ranjan Singh filed a joint writ.Earlier, President Bhandari had refused to authenticate the Citizenship Bill endorsed by both the houses—House of Representatives and National Assembly—within the given time frame.

As a result, leaders from the ruling coalition had claimed that the President violated the Constitution by not certifying the bill.