KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has declined to issue an interim order regarding the writ petition filed by former Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) executive director Hitendra Dev Shakya. Shakya had approached the court seeking reinstatement to his previous position, but the bench did not grant the interim request during Wednesday’s hearing.
The bench, presided over by Justice Kumar Regmi, has directed the concerned parties to submit a written response within 15 days. A follow-up hearing has been scheduled for Asoj 16 to deliberate on the matter further.
Shakya was appointed as the NEA executive director following a decision by the Council of Ministers on Chaitra 11, 2081. After the government moved to remove him from the post on Asoj 5, 2082, he initially filed a writ petition with the Supreme Court. In response, the court issued a mandate on November 22, overturning the government’s decision and ordering his reinstatement.
While Shakya was serving following the court’s mandate, the government led by Balen Shah issued the ‘Special Provisions Ordinance Concerning the Removal of Public Officials, 2083’ on April 21. Under this ordinance, Shakya was notified that he had been automatically removed from his position, effective April 19. Shakya has returned to the Supreme Court, arguing that he was not reinstated even after the ordinance became inoperative.
