13 November 2011. Responding to a writ petition filed on Thursday seeking immediate nullification of the government’s decision to recommend presidential pardon for Bal Krishna Dhungel, the Supreme Court has today issued an interim order to the government not to implement its decision until November 21. The order, in effect, has relieved the President from taking any decision on this controversial case.
A single bench of Justice Tahir Ali Ansari responded today on the writ filed by Sabitri Shrestha, sister of Ujjan Kumar Shrestha, murdered by lawmaker Dhungel in 1998. In its ruling, the Apex Court has barred the President, the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General from implementing the decision. Recognizing the constitutional and legal complexities in granting pardon in this case, the bench decided to draw the attention of the Chief Justice on taking it to the Special Bench.
The SC has asked both plaintiff and defendants to appear before the court for further hearing on November 21.
