A division bench of Chief Justice Damodar Prasad Sharma and Justice Om Prakash Mishra issued the order during the court hearing today. The hearing in the contempt of court case had been deferred twice earlier.

Prior to this, the apex court had directed the defendants—Kantipur publications management and editorial staffers of Kantipur daily—to appear before the court in person and explain why they should not be convicted in a contempt of court case.

Defendants in the case include Chairman and Managing Director of the Publications Kailash Sirohiya, Director Swastika Sirohiya, Editor-in-Chief of Kantipur daily Sudheer Sharma, and reporter Ghanshyam Khadka.

Responding to two separate contempt of court cases, a single bench of Justice Gopal Parajuli had issued the summons on August 26. In its 11-page initial order, the court has charged the Kantipur daily with running an “institutional mission” to tarnish the image of the court.

The Publications had received the court notice on September 5.