The Supreme Court on Monday issued a show-cause order to the government, asking it to justify the arrest and detention of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli.

A single bench of Justice Meghraj Pokharel issued the order in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by Oli’s wife, Radhika Shakya, who claimed that her husband was being held in unlawful detention.

The court, however, refused to issue an interim order for his release and instead directed the authorities to submit a written explanation clarifying the legal grounds for his detention.

Earlier, the apex court had issued a similar show-cause order in response to a habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of former home minister Ramesh Lekhak.

Oli and Lekhak were arrested on Saturday in connection with the September 8–9 incidents, for which they are under investigation.