Jun 12, Kathmandu - Supreme Court has rejected the petition seeking to prolong the temporary injunction that halted the government's decision to dissolve trade unions. With this ruling, the legal pathway is now open for the government to move forward with its decision.

A constitutional bench comprising Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma and Justices Dr. Nahakul Subedi, Vinod Sharma, Abdul Aziz Musalman, and Mahesh Sharma Poudel concluded their deliberations on Friday, ending the arguments that began on Jestha 20 (June 3). The court's decision indicates that the previous interim order will not be extended, allowing the government to proceed with its plans.

Earlier, on Baishakh 28 (May 11), a bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Sapan Pradhan Malla, and Justices Kumar Regmi, Hariprasad Fuyal, Vinod Sharma, and Shrangha Subedi, had issued a short-term stay on the government’s decision. However, dissenting opinions from Justices Vinod Sharma and Shrangha Subedi argued that no irreparable harm would occur if the order was not extended, and thus, the interim relief should not be granted. Following conflicting views, the court had called for further discussion and instructed the Attorney General’s Office to submit written responses.

The Nepal Civil Servants' Organization, Central Committee Chairperson Bhawani Dahal, along with other officials, had filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court against the government’s decision to dissolve trade unions, claiming it infringed upon employees' rights. They sought the annulment of the decision and an order to halt its implementation.

However, with the latest order from the constitutional bench, the petitioners' plea for continued interim relief was denied, paving the way for the government to proceed with the trade union dissolution process.