The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court has refused to issue an interim order in the case filed against the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki and the dissolution of the House of Representatives.

The bench has instead directed the defendants—including the Office of the President and the Office of the Prime Minister—to submit their written responses within seven days through the Office of the Attorney General.

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hari Phuyal, and Manoj Kumar Sharma, conducted the first hearing on Wednesday.

After the preliminary hearing, it declined the petitioners’ request for an interim order to restrict the government from carrying out its duties.

The writ petitioners had sought an interim order challenging both the appointment of Prime Minister Karki and the dissolution of Parliament, arguing that the process violated constitutional provisions. However, the court concluded that an interim injunction was unnecessary at this stage.

The case stems from recent political upheaval following the resignation of then prime minister KP Sharma Oli on September 9, in the aftermath of the Gen Z-led protests.

Subsequently, President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Sushila Karki as prime minister on September 12 to lead an interim government.

Only a member of the House of Representatives can become the prime minister as per the constitution while President Paudel appointed Karki, who is not a lawmaker, prime minister citing special circumstances that emerged after the youth uprising.

President Paudel dissolved the lower house and fixed the election date for March 5 as per Prime Minister Karki’s recommendation made subsequently after her appointment.