KATHMANDU, Sept 17: Following an order from the Supreme Court (SC), Sharad Ojha has resumed his position as Chairman of the Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA). Although the government had claimed that Ojha did not meet the required qualifications based on the documents he submitted and had formed a probe committee, he returned to the authority after the SC issued a short-term interim order.
Ojha had approached the court after the government decided to dismiss him. On September 8, the SC issued an interim order instructing that the dismissal decision should not be implemented immediately.
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On Tuesday, carrying the court’s order, Ojha returned to the authority and resumed his duties. Justice Sharanga Subedi, in a single bench, issued the short-term interim order and scheduled a hearing on October 12 regarding the interim order.
The court stated that, considering the petitioner’s request, the balance of convenience, and the justification of the writ petition, it is appropriate to maintain the status quo for the time being.
Accordingly, the government’s decision to remove Ojha, the letter notifying him of the dismissal, the decision to invite applications for the chairman’s post, and the related published notice will not be implemented immediately. The court also noted that both parties would discuss the interim order at the next hearing.
Earlier, the Ministry of Finance had raised questions regarding Ojha’s qualifications and experience, prompting the government to form a probe committee. Based on the committee’s recommendation, Ojha was removed from his position.
After the dismissal, Ojha filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court on September 7. The bench ordered that the dismissal decision not be enforced immediately and that the process to appoint a new chairman not proceed. Despite this, the government had begun the selection process for a new chairman, receiving applications from 14 candidates.
