The Supreme Court on Sunday issued an interlocutory interim order to the Election Commission not to implement its decision to cancel the candidacy of Raju Gurung, a candidate for the member of House of Representatives from Rupandehi-2.

A single bench of Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha issued the order hearing the writ petition of Gurung, whose candidacy was cancelled by the Election Commission saying he was indicted in a banking fraud by the court.

“Until the final decision on interim order, an interlocutory interim order has been issued in the name of defendants not to implement the October 11 decision of the Election officer of House of Representatives Rupandehi-2,” states the decision of the Supreme Court.

Gurung had filed the writ petition on October 13 but on Friday the hearing was postponed by his lawyers. He had demanded an interim order against the defendants including Election Commission, Nepal Rastra Bank and the Election Officer’s Office of Rupandehi-2 among others against the cancellation saying that the election office has no right to cancel his candidacy.

The apex court has told both the parties to present their written clarifications within a week while asking them to present at the court for discussion on October 19.

The ruling coalition had fielded Gurung who represents CPN (Unified Socialist). Main opposition’s candidate Bishnu Poudel is also in the fray from the same constituency.