KATHMANDU: The Nepal Bar Association has expressed disapproval of Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha's recommendation of two judges for the Supreme Court, as he approaches retirement. At the Friday Judicial Council meeting, Justices Nripadhwaj Niraula and Nitya Nanda Pandey received Shrestha's endorsements, a feat he accomplished with just one week remaining in his tenure.
Lawyers voiced their disapproval of the proposed appointments during demonstrations that broke out outside the venue as the meeting went on. The suggestion of only two judges for the Supreme Court resulted from differences among council members, despite Shrestha's initial goal of appointing six judges to the Supreme Court and seventeen to the High Court.
During the council's deliberations, Law Minister Ajay Chaurasiya and other delegates argued in favor of a two-judge maximum appointment. They indicated a preference for a more cautious approach to judicial appointments during the transition by proposing that the remaining vacancies be decided by the incoming Chief Justice.
With Chief Justice Shrestha's term ending on October 6, other council members have advised against taking any long-term decisions. They emphasized the importance of moving quickly with the appointment process by noting that the court will be closed starting on October 3 for the Dashain holidays.
The Nepal Bar Association's protests shed attention on the ongoing conflicts in the nation over judicial appointments, as attorneys call for a more open and inclusive selection procedure. The circumstance is indicative of larger worries about the judiciary's independence and how crucial it is to preserve public trust in the selection of justices.
These nominations will have a big impact as the Supreme Court handles a lot of cases and legal challenges in the upcoming months, even with their meager recommendations. The future makeup and orientation of the court could be influenced by the selection of just two judges.
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