The Supreme Court has issued a show cause order in response to a writ petition filed by Additional Health Secretary Dr Sangita Kaushal Mishra, who alleges unfair decision in the appointment of health secretary.

A single bench of Justice Bal Krishna Dhakal issued the order on Sunday, summoning both parties for hearing. Mishra filed the petition on Friday against the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, arguing that she was sidelined for the position despite being the most senior candidate.

A Cabinet meeting on March 5 promoted Additional Secretary Dr Bikash Devkota to the post of secretary. However, the promotion recommendation committee, composed of officials from the Public Service Commission, had ranked Mishra first for promotion based on her seniority. Devkota and Dr Tanka Prasad Barakoti were ranked second and third, respectively.

Mishra had publicly opposed the appointment of Devkota, who is junior to her, as the ministry’s secretary and demanded the resignation of Health Minister Pradip Paudel. Following Devkota’s appointment as secretary, the ministry has appointed another additional secretary, Barakoti, as the director general of the Department of Health Services.