KATHMANDU, July 12: Chief Justice Sushila Karki, soon after assuming the office on Monday, said that effective execution of the third strategic plan of the judiciary will be her top priority along with fulfilling the responsibilities assigned to judiciary for the implementation of the constitution.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday appointed Karki as the chief justice and administered the oath of office amid a ceremony at the President's Office, Shital Niwas.

Speaking to the media persons after assuming the office, Karki said that she will devise appropriate strategies to implement constitutional provisions of establishing high courts in line with federalism. However, she also acknowledged that the task was challenging.

"It is a complex process. Existing appellate courts are said to be transformed into high courts and extended benches. There is also a problem in managing the chief judges at the high courts in line with the proposed provisions," said Karki.

Karki also said that she will take initiation to establish a separate family court for fast track settlement of cases related to women and family disputes.

She said that a base-line survey would be conducted to identify the current situation of access to justice and the barriers to it.

She also said that the judiciary will initiate drafting of an integrated law on judgment execution to bar convicts, who abscond and escape despite court sentences, from accessing vital government services.

Meanwhile, she lamented at government agencies lack of cooperation on strengthening judgment execution. "Court can give verdicts, convict perpetrators of crime and order sentences. What can court do if authorities and police do not arrest the convict?" said Karki, when journalists asked her about Bal Krishna Dhungel, who has managed to evade jail sentence even after being convicted by the Supreme Court.

EC chief also assumes office
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav also assumed office on Monday.

President Bhandari on Monday appointed Yadav as the chief election commissioner and administered the oath of office amid a ceremony at President's Office, Shital Niwas.

Following the oath taking ceremony, chief commissioner Yadav assumed his office and urged staffers at the EC to be prepared for holding three elections for electing the local governments, provincial assemblies and House of Representatives.

 
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