Supreme Court denies interim order over writ petition against PM Oli’s controversial oath

KATHMANDU, May 18: Supreme Court has denied to issue any interim order in a writ petition registered against the controversial oath taken by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on May 14.  Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JBR-led single bench on Sunday refused to issue the order and scrap the oath of office and secrecy by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in response to the writ petition filed by senior advocate Dr Chandra Kanta Gyawali and advocates duo Lokendra Oli and Keshar Jung KC.  In the writ petition, the petitioners sought the re-swearing of Prime Minister Oli. PM Oli, during the oath taking ceremony held on May 14, had not uttered the word ‘promise (pratigyaa)’. He said that ‘it is not necessary’ as President Biday Devi Bhandari, repeated 'I promise'  and asked him to follow her.  The court, however, asked the defendant to submit a written response in the matter within 15 days through the Office of Attorney General.