Rabi Lamichhane on Friday evening resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs after the Supreme Court invalided his citizenship certificate.

Lamichhane has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, according to Nava Raj Pandey, press coordinator to Lamichhane.

Talking briefly with journalists while leaving Home Ministry, Lamichhane said he welcomes and respects the apex court's verdict.

Lamichhane was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister on December 25.

The Supreme Court annulled Lamichhane’s status as a lawmaker citing that the citizenship certificate he produced to contest the parliamentary election was invalid.

A Constitutional Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki comprising Justices Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Ishwar Khatiwada, Ananda Mohan Bhattarai and Anil Sinha issued the verdict.

As the court invalidated his citizenship certificate, he can’t even be considered a Nepali citizen for now, making him ineligible to become a minister and party chief.