Writ filed to annul NRB Governor Poudel’s appointment
Advocates Anantaraj Luintel, Bishal Thapa, and Pratibha Upreti submitted the petition on Friday, arguing that Poudel's appointment is unconstitutional and politically motivated.
KATHMANDU: A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court demanding the annulment of the appointment of Dr. Bishwanath Poudel as Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
Advocates Anantaraj Luintel, Bishal Thapa, and Pratibha Upreti submitted the petition on Friday, arguing that Poudel’s appointment is unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The same group had earlier filed a petition seeking to halt the appointment process, but the Supreme Court had declined to register it, citing it as premature.
Dr. Poudel was appointed as the Governor on May 19 by a Cabinet decision and assumed office the following day after taking the oath.
The petitioners claim that Dr. Poudel lacks the required professional background in monetary policy, finance, commerce, or banking as mandated by Section 15 of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2002.
Instead, he holds an academic qualification in rural development economics, which, they argue, does not meet the legal requirements.
The writ also alleges a conflict of interest, stating that Dr. Poudel was himself a member of the recommendation committee and was appointed through a prearranged process resembling “match-fixing.” It further contends that the appointment violates Sections 21 and 32 of the NRB Act and Section 18 of the Good Governance Act, 2007.
The petitioners have urged the court to declare the appointment void.
