KATHMANDU: A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court (SC) demanding that Rabi Lamichhane be barred from performing his duties as a Member of Parliament.

Advocate Aayush Badal and others submitted the petition arguing that since a money laundering case against Lamichhane is currently sub judice, he should be automatically suspended from holding public office. The petition seeks a court order to prevent him from carrying out parliamentary functions.

Although the writ petition was submitted three days ago, the Supreme Court administration has not yet registered it. As per procedure, if a petition is not to be registered, a formal rejection order must be issued, but no such decision has been made so far.

According to sources at the court, the petition has been kept on hold pending further consultation with higher authorities.

Earlier, the previous government had amended charges related to money laundering and organized crime filed against former Home Minister Lamichhane. A separate writ challenging that amendment is scheduled for a hearing before a full bench of the Supreme Court this Thursday.