Nepal’s Apex Court has issued stay order against government’s decision to promote accused army officer Raju Basnet. A single bench of Justice Prakash Chandra Wasti issued the order on Monday, responding to writ petition filed by Advocate Bidur Prasad Adhikari and Rupa Maharjan. The duo had filed writ petition on Sunday seeking annulment of government’s October 4 decision and explanation of Article 132 of the interim constitution which mandates National Human Rights Commission, authority to investigate into cases of human rights violation.

Basnet is accused of illegally detaining, torturing and disappearing 49 people between 2003 to 2005 from Kathmandu’s Bhairabnath Battalion. National and international right bodies, as well as the families of the victims, who had condemned government’s decision have welcomed the stay order.