SC issues show cause order on writ filed against PM Dahal, leader Bhattarai

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) issued a show cause order on Tuesday in response to a writ filed against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and leader Baburam Bhattarai, accusing them of committing war crimes.

During the preliminary hearing of the writ filed by former Maoist child combatants, a single bench, presided over by Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, issued a show cause order in the defendant’s name.

The court also ordered that priority be given to the writ.

A writ petition was filed by former child combatants, led by Lenin Bista, at the SC against PM Prachanda and leader Baburam Bhattarai, accusing them of using child soldiers during the Maoist insurgency.

The petitioners have demanded action, claiming that the Maoist leaders had committed war crimes by recruiting minors into the armed conflict.