Nepal’s Supreme Court has asked former prime minister, and co-chair of the NCP faction, Pushpa Kamal Dahal to file his reply in contempt court against him. The petitioner accuses Dahal of making statements on a sub-judice matter.

The Supreme Court is hearing as many as 13 petitions challenging the decision of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dissolving the lower house of parliament. Many leaders and retired judges have either issued statements or commented on the matter. 

The Supreme Court had issued notices to seven people, including Oli and four retired judges, in contempt cases. Earlier on Thursday last week, the apex court asked Oli to furnish his reply within seven days in the case. 

Last year on 20 December, Oli dissolved the lower house of parliament after the months-long tussle with Dahal over the party leadership position. The move left the ruling party divided into two factions, each led by Oli and Dahal. 

Many people also challenged the dissolution of the house in the Supreme Court, terming the move unconstitutional, and without any legal backing.