Nepal, April 23 -- Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane will remain in custody for now, as the Supreme Court has issued a show cause order in response to a habeas corpus petition.

Justice Abdul Aziz Musalman, presiding over a single bench, directed the government to submit a written explanation in response to the petition, which alleges that authorities have detained Lamichhane unlawfully.

The government must provide a written explanation within 15 days justifying Rabi Lamichhane's detention. Had the Supreme Court issued a habeas corpus order, it would have allowed Lamichhane to fight his case while staying out of custody. After receiving the government's response, a joint bench of two Supreme Court justices will hear...