SC summons both parties for discussion on petition against decision to clear squatter settlements

Setopati

Kathmandu, April 27

The Supreme Court has ordered both sides to appear for discussion on a writ petition filed against the government’s decision to clear squatter settlements along the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu.

According to the court’s website, a bench of Justice Shanti Singh Thapa has ordered the government to explain the reasons for removing the squatters and summoned both parties for a discussion regarding an interim order.

Court spokesperson Arjun Koirala said that both sides have been called for a discussion on May 5.

The petition was filed on Friday by Gopal Ranapaheli, along with Gen Z activists including Arnav Chaudhary, Ojaswi Bhattarai, Tanuja Pandey, Majid Ansari, Prajwal Bikram Rana, Kabita Rai, and Bikash Kumar Gupta.

In their petition, they argued that the government was attempting to forcibly evict landless people or squatters from settlements along riverbanks in areas such as Thapathali, Manohara, Sinamangal in Kathmandu, as well as other parts of the country, and demanded that the court halt such actions.