The Supreme Court has directed the government to furnish reasons for banning the social media platform Telegram.
On Sunday, a single bench of Justice Til Prasad Shrestha issued a show-cause order in the name of the government.
Additionally, the court has summoned both sides for the next hearing to discuss whether an interim order should be issued in the matter or not.
Advocates Gyan Basnet, Monica Dhakhwa, and Abhay Raj Joshi argued on behalf of the petitioners on Sunday.
On July 18, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority issued a directive to ban Telegram. On August 21, four advocates including Dhakhwa, Basne, and Joshi filed a writ petition challenging the NTA’s decision.
The petitioners have demanded the issuance of a writ of mandamus, prohibition, and other remedies to annul the directive.
They have also sought an interim order to prevent the implementation of the directive to ban Telegram.
Additionally, the petitioners have requested that the case be given priority.
They claim that the notice/directive issued by the NTA contradicts constitutional provisions.
They argue that the directive should be annulled since it is against fundamental rights.
The petition states that the directive is also contrary to Section 43 of the Electronic Transactions Act.
The petitioners have named the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, and the Nepal Telecommunications Authority as respondents.
