The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an order preventing Sharad Ojha from working as chairman of the Nepal Insurance Authority.
The Cabinet meeting on July 14 had formed a committee to investigate Ojha's appointment as chairman of the Nepal Insurance Authority. The committee had recommended his removal, stating that Ojha lacked high-level managerial experience in the insurance sector and lacked functional competence. The committee had also provided Ojha with an opportunity for a hearing. Following that recommendation, the government had sacked Ojha.
Claiming this decision was not in accordance with the law, Ojha had approached the SC which in August had issued a temporary interim order in his favor.
Subsequently, Ojha had gone to the Authority to assume his responsibilities claiming his appointment remained valid. After being prevented from assuming office, he had again approached the SC.
The SC on Feb 1 has ruled that the issue of whether the mandate given by the government to the investigation committee was according to the law must be resolved during the final settlement of this case. It has stated that, for now, there is no need to issue an interim order to stop the actions and decisions taken based on the committee's report.
