NBA draws attention of SC, justices

Kathmandu, Oct 18-Legal experts today drew the attention of the Chief Justice, Dilip Kumar Paudel and justices of the Supreme Court (SC) to the ordinance issued on October 9 to amend the Media Acts. “The Supreme Court and its justices should think about the ordinance seriously,” president of Nepal Bar Association (NBA), Shambhu Thapa, said. He was speaking at a programme organised by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) to discuss ways to fight the ordinance. He also said the SC should make its stand clear on the rule of law in such a crucial situation. “The Supreme Court had on several occasions adjourned hearings on important cases and if such actions are repeated again, the NBA would raise its voice against it,” Thapa said. “We are ready to face challenges while fighting the ordinance,” he said. “If the SC does not act properly while handling the case, we will go to the international forum and raise our voices there,” Thapa added. He also advised the FNJ to move the SC and launch street protests. “We have no option but to fight against the King legally and through street protests,” Thapa added. Senior advocates Radheshyam Adhikary and Shree Hari Aryal, former Law Minister Subash Chandra Nembang and former NBA president Harihar Dahal said the ordinance was issued unconstitutionally.
They advised the FNJ to move the SC as it has always safeguarded the freedom of the media even in the Panchayat regime.