Government cancels judges’ foreign trip, raising fears for judiciary independence

Published On: April 5, 2018 06:57 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, April 5: The cabinet meeting on Tuesday cancelled a foreign visit by two judges on the ground that the trip was not necessary.

“We did not provide  our consent for the study visit because it was not necessary,” Sher Bahadur Tamang, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, said at a press conference held following the cabinet meeting.

Sources claimed that the visit proposal was forwarded for cabinet approval through the Ministry of Finance.  The visit team was to be led by an apex court justice and would include the chief judge of Tulsipur High Court, but the names of the judges were not forwarded. 

“The visit was related to a mediation observation program in Malaysia and Singapore,” a source claimed. 

Minister Tamang  also clarified that the visit proposal was forwarded by the Ministry of Finance but without mentioning the names of the judges. He further clarified at the cabinet meeting that Acting Chief Justice Deepak Raj Joshee was  not in favor of the  visit. Sources  claimed that Supreme Court Justice Tej Bahadur KC was supposed to lead the visit team.

As Acting Chief Justice Joshee has been looking after the mediation committee at the Supreme Court, sources speculated that he might be in the visit program.  The chief judge of Tulsipur High Court is Nahakul Subedi, who is a relative of former Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli. 

“The names for the visit were selected by  then chief justice Gopal Parajuli, so he might have selected Subedi,” Tamang added.  

Supreme Court justices and lawyers have claimed that the cabinet decision may give room for attacking  the independence of the judiciary in the days to come.

“This is not good for  the independence of the judiciary,” a justice of the apex court told Republica on condition of anonymity. According to him, there might be various types of visits but restriction of  observation  and study visits relating to capacity enhancement would adversely affect the independence of the judiciary.

The justice also cited a provision in the Act Relating to Service Conditions, Remuneration and Facilities of  Judges which guarantees judges a visit once in two years. According to him, it is mandatory for  ministers, lawmakers and  bureaucrats to get approval from the government prior to a foreign visit, but not for judges. 

“This is a clear indication of executive domination over the independence of the judiciary,” said Sher Bahadur KC, president of Nepal Bar Association. “The government may seek information on the foreign visits of  judges,” he said adding, “But that does not mean  the government should take a decision on approval or cancellation of such visits.”


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