According to NBA Chairman Hari Krishna Karki, Chief Justice Shrestha said that the bar and the judiciary could forward common suggestions as independence of the judiciary is their common bottom line."Since NBA also wants the judiciary to be independent, we suggested to the chief justice to make a common document that would help protect independence of the judiciary," said Karki. "Chief Justice also said that the bar and bench could make a common stance regarding the constitutional provisions on judiciary," he added.
Since immediate past chief justice Ram Kumar Prasad Shah accused NBA of failing to appoint justices to the Supreme Court souring the relations between the bar and bench at the end of his tenure, the meeting between chief justice and bar officials on Friday could seen as a positive step toward rebuilding the relations between the two institutions.
"Chief Justice Shrestha has expressed his commitment to resolve problems within the judiciary and has sought NBA's support. We have taken it positively and we are ready to extend our support if he works toward fulfilling the commitments he made while assuming office," said Karki.
During the meeting, NBA officials urged chief justice to set up more benches at the Supreme Court before appointing new justices. "As the earthquake damaged the Supreme Court building, there is no place to set up new benches. Thus, we suggested to him to appoint justices only after setting up more benches," said Karki.
During the meeting NBA General Secretary Sunil Kumar Pokharel urged chief justice to show will power to monitor and control irregularities within the judiciary. "We can see irregularities in the procedures, time management and in justice delivery. I urged him to check irregularities," said Pokharel.
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