The Supreme Court has partially overturned its earlier verdict that mandated an additional 20-metre buffer zone along riverbanks, ruling that the extension was not consistent with the law and justice.

A full bench comprising Justices Sunil Kumar Pokhrel, Balkrishna Dhakal and Nripadhwaj Niraula delivered the verdict while deciding on a review petition filed by the government. The court said that, to the extent the December 19, 2023 decision imposed the additional 20-metre requirement, the ruling would be reversed.

In its earlier verdict, the apex court had directed authorities to enforce an extra 20-metre setback on both sides of rivers such as the Bagmati and Bishnumati in Kathmandu Valley, in addition to the standards already in place. The ruling had required landowners to leave a total of 40 metres vacant on either side of certain riverbanks for construction approval.

The government had sought a review of the decision, arguing that its implementation was impractical. Then law secretary Phanindra Gautam had filed the petition, citing three major concerns: the need to pay large amounts in compensation, the risk of demolishing sites of archaeological importance, and the likelihood of widespread public opposition.

While issuing the final verdict on the review petition, the Supreme Court upheld some aspects of the earlier decision but overturned others. In a brief order made public so far, the court stated that provisions requiring authorities to deny building permits, declare additional land as no-construction zones, or acquire land within the added 20 metres—even where structures had already been legally built—did not align with principles of law and justice.

“The portion of the December 19, 2023, verdict that mandated an additional 20 metres on either side of rivers, beyond the standards set by the Cabinet on November 16, 2008, does not seem consistent with law and justice,” the court said, adding that the joint bench’s decision would be reversed to that extent.

The Supreme Court has so far released only a summary of the verdict. Further details and legal reasoning will be known once the full text is made public.