SC issues show cause notices on Katawal's appointment as CoAS
The Supreme Court (SC) has issued show cause notices to government authorities on the issue of appointing Rookmangud Katawal for the post of the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS).
Acting upon a writ petition filed at the apex court challenging the appointment of Katawal, a single bench of Justice Damodar Prasad Sharma directed the authorities to explain why Katawal was appointed the army chief.
Advocate Dilhari Sharma filed the writ petition challenging Katawal’s appointment.
Advocate Sharma claimed that the Cabinet’s decision was wrong as Katawal had suppressed April’s pro-democracy protests during the King’s direct rule and had produced a false birth certificate while joining the army.
The petitioner also claimed that Katawal was supposed to retire three years ago, but is still in service after amending his date of birth through a royal decree.
The bench has asked the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Defence Minister, Defence Ministry, the army chief and the Army Headquarters to furnish their replies within 15-days.
Amid criticism from various quarters, the Cabinet, on September 5, had promoted Lt Gen Katawal as the CoAS.
Taking part on Tuesday's hearing, advocates representing the petitioners demanded the apex court's order to scrap the appointment.
Various human rights organizations and members of civil society denounced Katawal's appointment for the top post of the Nepal Army alleging that he is one of the masterminds for suppressing the April movement of the country.
Katawal was also charged for violating human rights while he was the chief of the Mid-Western divisional headquarters of the Nepal Army. nepalnews.com pb Oct 11 06
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