'Unconstitutional', 'arbitrary': Nepal parties, lawyers slam Parliament dissolution move
Kathmandu (PTI): Nepal's major political parties and apex lawyers' body have strongly criticised the president's decision to dissolve parliament, describing the move as "unconstitutional", "arbitrary" and a serious blow to democracy.
The criticism followed Friday’s recommendation by the first cabinet meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki to dissolve the House of Representatives, a proposal that President Ram Chandra Paudel promptly approved.
The house was dissolved with effect from 11 pm on September 12, 2025, according to a notice issued by the President’s Office. The president also fixed March 21, 2026, as the date for holding fresh parliamentary elections, it said.
Political parties across the spectrum slammed the dissolution move.
Disapproving of the move, Nepali Congress (NC), the largest political party of the country, warned that any action violating the Constitution would be unacceptable.
The Central Executive Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress held on Saturday concluded that the dissolution of the Parliament has "jeopardised the democratic achievements" of the country, MyRepublica news portal reported.
"This move to dissolve parliament is against the spirit of our Constitution and the interpretation of the Supreme Court. It is absolutely unconstitutional,” the NC said in a statement.
NC General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma said any breach of the Constitution raises serious questions.
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel described the move as “ironically concerning”.
“In the past, the majority of governments’ attempts to dissolve Parliament were challenged as unconstitutional. Ironically, those same voices are now supporting dissolution. We must remain vigilant,” the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) leader was quoted as saying by the news portal.
The CPN (Maoist Centre) also expressed serious disagreement with the decision to dissolve the House of Representatives.
Party spokesperson and Vice Chairman Agni Prasad Sapkota said the decision went against the country’s constitutional framework.
Issuing a late-night statement, the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) said the "arbitrary" dissolution undermines constitutional supremacy and “strikes at the core of constitutionalism”.
The umbrella body of legal professionals warned that the step weakens Nepal’s hard-won democracy and dilutes the achievements of federalism.
"The President’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives also contradicts the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling on the reinstatement of Parliament,” the NBA said.
It further cautioned that dissolving the House before the completion of its term erodes public trust in democratic institutions and threatens the very foundation of the constitutional order.
NBA president Vijay Prasad Mishra and general secretary Kedar Prasad Koirala jointly signed the statement, urging all sectors of society to resist “any regressive steps” and support their protest and actions against the dissolution.
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NCW chief condemns rape-murder of 4-year-old girl in Pune, calls for swift action
New Delhi (PTI): National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has condemned the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Pune, calling it "deeply distressing" and a "blot on humanity".
The girl was allegedly raped and killed by a 65-year-old labourer, who has a criminal record, in Bhor tehsil of Pune on Friday. The accused allegedly lured the child to a cattle enclosure on the pretext of giving her food. After raping her, he killed her by hitting her with a stone, according to police.
The accused has been arrested.
In a post on X on Saturday, Rahatkar said the incident in the Nasrapur area in Pune was heartbreaking and has shaken society.
"The brutal torture and murder of a four-year-old innocent girl in Nasrapur (Bhor, Pune) is deeply painful, heartbreaking, and shocking. It is a blot on humanity," she said.
She said Pune Rural police has arrested the accused and noted that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar have assured strict action in the case.
Rahatkar said the NCW has taken cognisance of the matter and written to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), requesting the body to ensure necessary and prompt action.
It has also been recommended that the case be pursued under stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and be closely monitored from the filing of the chargesheet to proceedings in a fast-track special court to ensure time-bound justice, she added.
Ensuring justice for the victim and stringent punishment for the accused is a collective responsibility, the NCW chairperson underlined.
In a post on X, the NCW said it has taken suo motu cognisance of the extremely "heinous" incident.
"This heinous crime causes profound pain and outrage, and it highlights serious concerns regarding the safety of young girls," it said.
Strongly condemning this grave "inhuman act", the NCW said such crimes constitute a serious violation of children's rights and raise questions about society's security system.
