KATHMANDU: A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court challenging the appointment of Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel as the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, alleging that his selection was politically motivated and in violation of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058 (2002).

Advocates Anantaraj Luintel, Prativa Upreti, and Bishal Thapa jointly filed the petition, claiming that Paudel’s appointment was made unlawfully to serve political interests, and have demanded its annulment.

The petitioners argue that Dr. Paudel lacks the academic qualifications mandated by Section 15 of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058, which requires expertise in economics, monetary policy, commerce, or banking. Instead, Paudel holds a degree in rural development economics.

They further contend that a member of the recommendation committee was made to resign to pave the way for Paudel’s uncontested appointment, which they claim was done to serve vested interests.

The petition also alleges that Paudel has political affiliations and was appointed in a “match-fixing” manner while he himself was a member of the recommendation committee led by Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel.

This, the petitioners say, directly contravenes Sections 21 and 32 of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058 and Section 18 of the Good Governance Act, 2064 (2008).