May 05, Kathmandu - The Supreme Court has directed the authorities to produce detailed documents outlining the methods and procedures adopted for clearing slum settlements.

Justice Sunil Kumar Pokhrel, sitting alone, issued an order on Monday to retrieve the documents related to the decision-making process behind the eviction of squatters, including the legal and procedural frameworks followed.

The case pertains to the implementation of the government's 100-point reform plan, specifically point number 91, which was approved by the Cabinet and is applicable under the Constitution of Nepal, the Housing Rights Act, 2075, and court directives. The court has called for transparency regarding how these laws and plans were applied during the eviction process.

Additionally, the court has requested comprehensive details on the welfare measures for families displaced from the evicted settlements. This includes their resettlement, daily sustenance, healthcare for the elderly, sick, and differently-abled, sanitation, and educational arrangements for children, ensuring minimum human rights standards are upheld.

The petition, filed by Majid Ansari, also involves the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers as respondents. The court has scheduled a hearing for Baisakh 23 to facilitate discussions between both parties.

Furthermore, the court has ordered both sides to submit written responses within 15 days via the Office of the Attorney General, based on the grounds and reasons provided for the eviction notices.