Supreme Court orders banking services for citizens without a national ID card

The Supreme Court has issued a mandamus order directing that banking services be made available even to citizens who do not have a national identity card or its number.

The order was issued by a joint bench of justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Meghraj Pokharel. The court has directed Nepal Rastra Bank and other concerned bodies to provide banking services on the basis of alternative documents, including the citizenship certificate.

The requirement making the national identity card mandatory for banking services had left some citizens unable to access such services. The bench ordered that these citizens be provided services through alternative arrangements.

Following this order, citizens who have not yet obtained a national identity card or its number will be able to access banking services by submitting documents including the citizenship certificate. Responsibility for implementing the mandamus will lie with Nepal Rastra Bank and the concerned bodies.