nepalnews.com pb Feb 23 07 No law to punish King: legal experts One day after the Legislative Parliament directed the government to take action against King Gyanendra saying his message issued on the occasion of Democracy Day was against the Interim Constitution, senior legal experts have said that no legal action can be taken against the King for his message. Speaking at an interaction in the capital on Thursday, Chairman of Nepal Bar Association (NBA), Bishowkanta Mainali said that there is no legal provision to penalise the King. He however said that the government and the parliament can take political action against him but not without promulgating a new law. Mainali further said that the NBA members are ready to provide legal service to the King if he wants such service. Former chairman of NBA Shambhu Thapa said, "Neither the government nor the legislative parliament can take action against the King as there is no law that permits action against him." He further said that since the King is not the head of the state and not exercising any power there is no question of punishing him. He further said, "Though the Interim Constitution allowed the King to be questioned in parliament and a court of law, why has the government not promulgated a law in line with the constitution." Senior advocate, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel said "Since the King is no more head of the state, the parliament can only condemn his speech." Pyakurel criticised the media for giving extra coverage to the King's message, as they knew that he is not the head of the state. In his democracy day message to the Nation the King has defended his February 1, 2005 takeover, saying the royal move was the compulsion.