"Of the five JC members, three support me. A majority of JC members can decide to recommend parliament to impeach SC Justice Rana Bahadur Bam. We will recommend impeachment for Bam even if you disagree with us," CJ Shrestha told Minister Singh at the JC meeting. [break]
CJ Shrestha, whom Republica met at a tea party hosted by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at Singha Durbar Friday on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, said, "I stand by my commitment to take action against the three justices despite serious differences with Minister Singh."
The CJ confirmed that there was a severe altercation with Minister Singh over the issue during the JC meeting.
At the meeting CJ Shrestha showed Minister Singh and other JC members a document he has signed for taking action against the three justices on the basis of the probe committee report.
During the tea party CJ Shrestha also shared with Prime Minister Nepal his dissatisfaction with Minister Singh.
The CJ´s complaints against Singh came after a meeting of the JC Friday where the two engaged in sharp altercations over whether to take action against Justice Bam.
Singh also confirmed the serious dispute at the meeting.
Singh informed Republica that he warned CJ Shrestha he would initiating a process to impeach him if he continued his arrogance.
"The Chief Justice wants to take action against Bam, which is against constitutional provisions," Singh said, adding, "The CJ presented himself not worthy of his stature."
The minister claimed that constitutional provisions do not allow the JC to take action against Justice Bam.
Asked what he would do if the CJ garnered a majority in the JC in favor of impeaching Bam, Singh said, "I will also show my power if the CJ shows his."
Singh further clarified that he will write a note of dissent if the CJ and other JC members decide on action against the three justices.
According to Singh, the CJ accused him of protecting the three judges.
"I asked the CJ not to make the probe committee report a ´prestige´ issue," Singh said.
A high-level probe had found Justice Bam and Appellate Court Judges Hari Bahadur Basnet and Tej Bahadur Karki taking controversial decisions to release against low fines and bail, notorious culprits Sanjay Shrestha, Rohit Paliwan Agrawal and Bhimsen Pandit, who were arrested for kidnap, murder and possessing arms and ammunition.
Minister Singh, who is an ex-officio JC member, further clarified that the report submitted by the probe is not acceptable as the committee did not prepare it ´on the basis of its jurisdiction´.
The three culprits claimed that they bribed the judges many times in the past to get out of detention.
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