KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court is set to hear a writ petition today, Wednesday (May 28), challenging the appointment of newly appointed Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dr. Biswo Poudel.

Although the writ petition was filed just a day after Dr. Poudel’s appointment, it was formally registered by the Supreme Court only on Tuesday, following five days of internal deliberations and procedural review.

Advocates Anantaraj Luitel, Prativa Upreti, and Bishal Thapa are the petitioners, arguing that the appointment violates provisions of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058.

According to them, the selection process was politically motivated and bypassed legal and merit-based procedures.

The petitioners have requested an interim order to prevent Dr. Poudel from enacting policies of national significance or authorizing official bank notes.

They assert that any actions taken during his tenure could be legally questionable due to the alleged illegality of his appointment.

A key argument in the petition is that Dr. Poudel does not meet the academic qualification requirements outlined in Section 15 of the Act.

While the law mandates expertise in economics, monetary policy, commerce, or banking, the petitioners argue that Dr. Poudel’s specialization in rural development economics does not fulfill this standard.

The writ also alleges that the integrity of the recommendation committee was compromised.

According to the petition, some members resigned and were later reappointed to facilitate a politically influenced selection, raising serious questions about the transparency and fairness of the process.

Concluding their petition, the advocates have urged the Supreme Court to annul Dr. Poudel’s appointment, citing both procedural flaws and non-compliance with legal qualifications required for the post of central bank governor.