KATHMANDU:- A writ petition filed in the Patan High Court seeking to stop the general convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is scheduled to be heard today, Friday.

A preliminary hearing was held on Wednesday in a single bench of Patan High Court Judge Kripasur Karki on the petition filed by Prem Gaha Magar, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as respondents. The court decided that it would be appropriate to hold a discussion with both parties on whether to issue the interim order sought by the petitioner or not, and set the hearing for Friday.

Similarly, the court has also issued a ‘show cause’ order in the name of the respondents. Stating why the order should not be issued as per the petitioner’s demand, the court has ordered them to submit a written response with evidence within 15 days, excluding the deadline for submission. The order states that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is the respondent number 1, should submit a response through the High Government Attorney’s Office, Patan, and the other respondents should submit their responses themselves or through representatives as per the law.

In Wednesday’s hearing, advocates Dr. Mahendra Jung Shah, Shobha Karki, and Kapildev Dhakal argued on behalf of petitioner Prem Gaha Magar. Similarly, advocates Tejendra Giri and Pradeep Bhandari argued on behalf of the opposing parties present.

After the discussion between both sides on Friday, if the court issues an interim order, the NRNA general convention will be stopped, while if the order is not issued, the way for the general convention will be opened. Therefore, Friday’s hearing is being viewed as meaningful. The 12th general convention of the NRNA is starting in the capital from Saturday. Dr. Hemraj Sharma, Robin Sherchan and Rabinraj Bajracharya have registered their candidacies on Wednesday to take over the new leadership from the general convention.