KATHMANDU, May 8: A controversy has erupted after the Constitutional Council (CC) recommended Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma for the post of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC), bypassing senior justices in the judicial hierarchy.
Senior Advocate Dinesh Tripathi on Friday filed a writ petition at the SC challenging the recommendation.
Writ petition filed against Rabi Lamichhane
The CC had recommended Justice Sharma as the 33rd Chief Justice despite him being fourth in seniority. The decision overlooked Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, who is first in line, as well as justices Kumar Regmi and Hari Prasad Phuyal, who rank second and third, respectively.
In the petition, Tripathi argued that the CC’s decision goes against established judicial tradition and the spirit of the constitution.
