Hearing in RPP case continues

Kathmandu Jan 18-In the hearings on the case filed by Pasupati Samser Rana of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the dissident faction filed an intervene petition at the Court, demanding for an opportunity to defend its position in the case.

Representing the dissident faction Group of RPP led by Home Minister Kamal Thapa, advocate Bishwa Bhattarai filed the intervene petition at the Court, arguing that the absence of dissident faction, which is a significant part of the case, at the Court could alter the Court’s decision in founding faction’s favour. The dissident faction, in the petition, argued that they have been deprived of the right to put forward their argument.

The Court, however, deferred the hearing today as the petitioners failed to complete their argument. Advocate Ram Prasad Bhandari, senior advocates Bishwa Kanta Mainali, Radhe Shyam Adhikary, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel, Harihar Dahal and the Bar Secretary Madhav Banskota pleaded on behalf of the petitioner. The EC also attended the hearing on the case.

Pashupati Shamsher Rana led RPP had filed a petition at the Court for the official recognition of the party, with only the Election Commission as the sole defendant in the case.Rana, who still heads the founding faction of the RPP, was also present at the Court since the morning along with central members.They questioned the legitimacy of the special general convention of the RPP itself, arguing that the convention called by the expelled party members was against the party statute.

A joint bench of justices Ran Bahadur Bam and Durga Prasad Uprety are looking into the case.