KATHMANDU, Oct 27: Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has held political parties responsible for disputes in the judiciary. The NBA has also urged Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher JB Rana to resign immediately.

Tuesday's meeting of the NBA concluded that the current selection process of judges was wrong and demanded that the system of the judiciary be changed and the constitution be amended as well. The meeting concluded that it would be appropriate for Chief Justice Rana to resign immediately and pave the way for a smooth exit by ending the current stalemate.

"We call on the chief justice to resign," the statement issued right after the meeting said. “We call on the government, parliament and political parties to amend the constitution and ensure that the executive, the legislative and political parties do not interfere in the judiciary.

The NBA also condemned the government and political parties for trying to influence the independence and impartiality of the judiciary by giving the leadership of the judiciary a share in the executive and by giving honorary titles to judges. 

A statement issued by General Secretary Leela Mani Poudel said that if the chief justice does not resign, the NBA will be forced to announce protest programs across the country. Saying that despite repeated public commitments by the chief justice, there has been no visible improvement in practice, the NBA said that its attention has been drawn to the growing distortions, inconsistencies and the influence and pressure of middlemen in the judiciary.

The bar has also expressed serious concern over the fact that a full court meeting including the NBA called for Monday could not be convened. "As the Chief Justice has been dragged into one controversy after another, the reputation and dignity of the judiciary has been seriously jeopardized and serious questions have been raised about the independent judiciary," the statement said.

 
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