SC stays govt decision to sack envoy Sharma

KATHMANDU, OCT 05 - The Supreme Court on Friday issued an interim order asking the government to stay the implemention of its decision to sack controversial Nepali envoy to Qatar Maya Kumari Sharma . After conducting preliminary hearings on the writ petition filed by Sharma on Friday, a single bench of Justice Prakash Wosti directed the government to not sack envoy Sharma until next decision.

Earlier this week, after being recalled from her ambassadorial assignment in Qatar, envoy Sharma had moved the Supreme Court challenging the government's decision to relive her of her duties, In the interim order issued today, the apex court also asked the government to not appoint another ambassador until the final verdict on the case was made.


The government on September 26 had decided to call back Sharma and relieve her of her duties. Sharma, who was appointed from the Maoist quota in February 2012, was an official at the Agricultural Development Bank and did not have any diplomatic and political experience prior to her appointment. Sharma made headlines for her unprofessional conduct and remarks. On June 24, the Qatari Foreign Affairs Ministry sought clarification from her over her reported remarks that 'Qatar is an open jail'.

 In the writ petition, Sharma argues that since she was appointed by the President, the Cabinet alone cannot call her back. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing the Cabinet decision, had asked Sharma to return. She maintains that she was not even given a chance to explain. Defendants in the petition include Interim Election Government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi, the Foreign Ministry, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Office of the President.