Supreme Court summons discussion on Ncell sale, Issues show cause order

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has summoned both parties for a discussion regarding the Ncell sale, and has issued a show cause order. MP Amresh Kumar Singh, the petitioner, revealed that Judge Prakashman Singh Raut’s single bench has scheduled a discussion on January 1. Alongside calling for a discussion, the Supreme Court has mandated the opposing parties to provide a show cause.

Independent MP Singh initiated the case on December 8, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the Ncell sale. He named Ncell, Nepal Telecommunication Authority, Office of Company Registrar, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and Large Taxpayers Office as defendants.

Despite several attempts to present the case on different dates, a hearing did not materialize until Tuesday when Judge Singh’s bench finally convened. The sale of 80 percent of Ncell’s shares to businessman Satishlal Acharya’s Spectralite UK Limited on December 1 prompted the legal action. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has engaged with the State System and Good Governance Committee of the Federal Parliament to address concerns surrounding Ncell.

The Public Accounts Committee and the Finance Committee have also expressed interest in scrutinizing the Ncell transaction. To investigate the sale of Ncell shares, the government established a 5-member committee led by former Auditor General Tankamani Sharma. The committee is currently conducting an inquiry with a one-month deadline.