SC order Govt for Not to bar Lawyers Meet Nepal

Kathmandu, April 4- The Supreme Court on tuesday ordered the government not to bar lawyers from meeting with prisoners, including CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, saying that it is the fundamental right of prisoners to consult with lawyers.

Responding to a PIL, which sought the apex court’s mandamus order to the government authorities not to bar lawyers from meeting prisoners, the court ordered the government to ensure the right of prisoners guaranteed by the constitution and international laws.

The court said it was illegal to bar lawyers from meeting Nepal, who is also a former deputy prime minister.

The writ petition was filed after security forces barred lawyers including former minister Shuvas Nemwang and NBA president Shambhu Thapa from meeting Nepal a few days ago. Nepal has been kept in a detention centre at Duwakot of Bhaktapur.

The petitioner, advocate Som Prasad Luitel, had made the Office of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, the Ministry of Home, the Ministry of Defence, the Police Headquarters and the Headquarters of the Armed Police Force defendants in the case