Nearly a year after being removed from his position, Mukul Dhakal, former general secretary of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday, demanding his reinstatement to the post.

In response, the apex court has scheduled a hearing on July 1 to deliberate on an interim order sought by Dhakal.

Justice Kumar Regmi on Thursday heard the petition filed by Dhakal and decided to summon both parties for a discussion before issuing any interim relief. While Dhakal requested permission to resume his role as general secretary through an interim order, the court declined to grant immediate relief, citing the need to hear from the opposing parties.

“In view of the request for an interim order, both sides must be heard before a decision can be taken,” reads the court’s order. “Accordingly, a hearing has been scheduled for July 1. The Election Commission has also been asked to appear with its correspondence dated June 18 regarding the petitioner.”

Dhakal has named the RSP, its central committee, party chair Rabi Lamichhane, incumbent general secretary Kabindra Burlakoti, spokesperson Manish Jha, and the Election Commission as respondents in the case.

The dispute dates back to July 2024, when the party dismissed Dhakal from all leadership roles, including general secretary, spokesperson, and central committee member.

The party, citing “incompetence, indiscipline, and anarchic behaviour”, allowed him to remain only as a general member. Following the decision, Dhakal did not seek judicial recourse for nearly a year.

On June 18, Dhakal publicly revealed a letter from the Election Commission, stating he remained the party’s general secretary on official records, as the RSP had not submitted an updated list of office bearers. This letter has become central to his legal argument.

Meanwhile, a central committee meeting of the party on June 21 promoted Kabindra Burlakoti to the post of general secretary, who had been playing the role of acting general secretary. The meeting also promoted Manish Jha as the party’s spokesperson, having previously served in an acting capacity.