Article 273
Part 30
•Part 30 – Emergency Powers
Article 273 – Emergency Powers
(1)
In case a grave emergency arises in relation to the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Nepal or the security of any part thereof, whether by war, external attack, armed revolt, extreme economic breakdown, natural calamity or epidemic outbreak, the President may, by Proclamation or Order, declare a state of emergency to be enforced in Nepal or any specified part thereof.
(2)
Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (1), in case a grave situation arises, whether by natural calamity or epidemic outbreak, in any province, the concerned province may request the Government of Nepal to declare, by Proclamation or Order, a state of emergency to be enforced in the province or any specified area of the province.
(3)
The Proclamation or the Order issued pursuant to clause (1) shall be presented before the meetings of both houses of federal legislature for approval within a month from the date of its issuance.
(4)
If the Proclamation or the Order presented for the approval pursuant to clause (3) is approved by a two-third majorities of the total members present at the meetings of both the houses of federal legislature, such Proclamation or Order shall continue in force for a period of three months from the date of Order or Proclamation.
(5)
If the Proclamation or Order presented before both houses of federal legislature pursuant to clause (4) is not approved, such Proclamation or Order shall, ipso facto, be invalid.
(6)
Notwithstanding other provisions in this article, the proposal to extend the period of the Proclamation or Order of state of emergency for another period, not exceeding for three months, may be forwarded in the federal legislature, stating that the circumstances under clause (4) still exist.
(7)
Pursuant to Clause (6), if the resolution for Proclamation or Order of state of emergency for another period is passed by a majority of the two third members present of both the houses of the federal legislature, the state of emergency for the said period shall continue to exist.
(8)
In case of dissolution of House of Representatives, the power of Federal Parliament as per clause (3), (4), (6) and (7) shall be exercised by National Assembly.
(9)
After the state of emergency has been declared pursuant to clause (1), the President may issue necessary orders to meet the exigencies. Orders so issued shall be operative with the same force and effect as law so long as the state of emergency is in operation.
(10)
While issuing the Proclamation or Order of state of emergency pursuant to clause (1), the President may suspend the fundamental rights provided in Part 3 so long as the Proclamation or Order is in operation.
Provided that, Article 16, section (c) and (d) of Article 17(2), Article 18, 19 (2), 20, 21, 22, 24, 26 (1), 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36 (1) and (2), 38, 39, 40 (2) and (3), 41, 42, 43, 45 and the right to constitutional remedy and right to habeas corpus related to Article 46 shall not be suspended.
(11)
In circumstances where any Article of this constitution is suspended pursuant to clause (10), no petition may be made in any court of law, nor any question be raised for the enforcement of the fundamental rights conferred by such Article.
(12)
If, during the continuation of a Proclamation or Order pursuant to this article, any damage is inflicted upon any person by an act of any official done in contravention of law or in bad faith, the affected person may, within three months from the date of termination of the Proclamation or Order, file a petition for compensation for said damage. In case the petition is filed, the court may arrange for the appropriate compensation, or punish the guilty according to the Federal law.
(13)
The President may, at any time during its continuance, revoke the proclamation or order relating to state of emergency.