SC rejects govt plea to vacate stay order on 8 Generals' case

The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday said it will not vacate its stay order which was issued against the government's decision to pension off eight brigadier generals of Nepal Army.

A division bench of justices Anup Raj Sharma and Prem Sharma gave the ruling by rejecting the government's plea to vacate the stay order.

The bench stated that it didn't find any reason to vacate the order and has set the announcement of the final verdict on the case on May 31.

The eight brigadier generals were forced into retirement after the defense ministry refused to extend their terms by another three years despite the recommendation to do so by the army headquarters.

The eight brigadier generals moved the Supreme Court against the decision and the latter on March 24 issued a stay order against it.

The stay order allowed the brigadiers to continue in office, sparking a serious row with the Maoist controlled defense ministry and then the government itself.

The government filed a writ pleading the Apex court to vacate its stay order.

The row got out of proportions, ultimately becoming one of the reasons that led Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal government to sack Army chief Rookmangud Katawal, but which was overturned by the President's order to reinstate him. nepalnews.com ag May 10 09