Supreme court ruling blocks Sharad Ojha’s return to insurance authority

Dhangadhi: Former Chairman of the Insurance Authority, Sharad Ojha, will not be reinstated immediately following a Supreme Court ruling that blocked his return. Ojha had approached the Supreme Court challenging his dismissal by the previous government.

On Sunday, a joint bench of Justices Nahakul Subedi and Tek Prasad Dhungana decided not to extend the earlier interim order. This effectively ended Ojha’s chance of returning to the authority. The Supreme Court had initially issued an interim order on Bhadra 23 preventing the immediate implementation of his dismissal.

The court ruled that the dismissal process was legal, noting that the government had formed an investigation committee under the Insurance Act, and Ojha had been given an opportunity to be heard. Based on this, the court refused to continue the interim order.

The ruling clears the way for the appointment process of a new chairman at the Insurance Authority. However, due to the ongoing election code of conduct, it is unlikely that a new chairman will be appointed immediately.

In the meantime, the government has assigned the responsibilities of the chairman to Chandrakala Poudel, Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, until further notice.

Earlier, Ojha had returned to the authority following the initial interim order from the Supreme Court, but he was prevented from resuming duties after directions from the Ministry of Finance.