KATHMANDU, Oct 10: Chief Justice Om Prakash Mishra has said that media comments on sub-judice matters is hindering the work of the judiciary and has called for a halt to such comments.

This is the first time that an incumbent chief justice has come out clearly against the media commenting on matters pending in court. He, however, did not point out any specific case in which media has commented in this fashion.  

“It is against the independence of the judiciary and against human rights,” Mishra said while addressing a function organized by the Constitutional and Judicial Journalists Forum for exchanging Dashain greetings Tuesday. “It would have an adverse effect on the process of dispensing justice, so one needs to exercise caution,” he added.

Chief Justice Mishra also underlined the need for reform in the judiciary. “Every institution requires reform and so does the judiciary, but this cannot be effected through the efforts of the judiciary alone. We want your support,” he added.

Mishra called on lawyers and journalists to support the judiciary in fulfilling its mission of justice delivery.”You need to give us suggestions for reform,” he said.

Speaking at another function, organized by the official trade union of the Supreme Court, Mishra called for joint efforts for protecting and preserving the independence of the judiciary. Judges and judicial staff are inseparable parts of the judiciary, Mishra said. 

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court said that arrangements have been made for hearing habeas corpus cases during the Dashain holidays as regular work at the court shall halt for 15 days from Wednesday. 

Issuing a press release, Nagendra Kalakheti, court co-spokesperson, said that the schedule for justices hearing habeas corpus cases during Dashain has been prepared.

 
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