Two more contempt of court writ against Dr Giri

Kathmandu Nov 7-Two separate contempt of court cases were filed at the Supreme Court on Sunday, seeking the SC’s action against vice-chairman of the Council of Ministers, Dr Tulsi Giri.

Two advocates Laxmi Kumar Khadka and Tara Nath Dhungana filed separate cases against Dr Giri accusing him of trying to mislead the Supreme Court at a time when the apex court is seriously examining some important cases.One of the petitioners, advoate Dhungana, made Kantipur daily, its editor Narayan Wagle and its promoters Hem Raj Gyawali, Binod Raj Gyawali defendants in the case for publishing Dr Giri’s ‘irresponsible’ speech.“His speech insulted the integrity of the apex court, judges, lawyers, and the journalists who have strong faith towards the judiciary,” the petitioners claimed.The petitioners urged the SC to seriously stop any such kind of ‘irresponsible speech from a person who is holding an important executive post of the government. “He had tried to harass people to move the court against the government which itself is an irresponsible act and against the rule of law and constitution,” they claimed.

Five contempt of court cases have been filed against Dr Giri till date.

Citing his speech in Rautahat on October 30, the advocates accused him of trying to mislead the SC and harassing common people who seek justice by filing cases in the courts.

Addressing a mass meeting on October 30 in Rautahat, Dr Giri had accused lawyers and journalists who move the SC against the government frequently as not having any work and, in the process, creating hurdles for the government and annoying even the judges.

“His speech insulted the integrity of the apex court, judges, lawyers, and the journalists who have strong faith towards the judiciary,” the petitioners claimed.

Article 86.2, sub section 1 of section 7 of the Supreme Court Act 1991 has provided the Supreme Court the authority to penalize wrongdoers with fines of amount up to Rs.10,000 or imprisonment for a maximum period of one year, or both if the court finds an accused is in contempt .