There are five justice positions vacant in the apex court. The JC is the only authorized body to appoint and sack justices. [break]
The JC, headed by Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi, will pick deserving candidates from among the senior-most and outstanding chief judges of appellate courts, law faculty academics and dynamic advocates.
According to a knowledgeable source, four appellate court chief judges are being considered for appointment as SC justices -- Patan Appellate Court Chief Judge Keshari Raj Pandit, Biratnagar Appellate Court Chief Judge Gopal Parajuli, Butwal Appellate Court Chief Judge Jageshwar Subedi and Janakpur Appellate Court Chief Judge Akabar Mikarani. "Subedi is unlikely to be appointed as he is retiring after four months," said the source.
"These four chief judges are qualified and deserving candidates for SC justice," said the source.
The source added that though these four candidates are among the most qualified, all four are not likely to be appointed to SC justice as the JC has to pick some candidates from Nepal Bar Association and some from the law faculty.
According to the source, teachers of TU´s Law Faculty -- Guna Nidhi Neupane, Amar Panta, Ranjit Bhakta Pradhananga and Purna Man Shakya among others are in the race for SC justice. "All these four professors are qualified," said the source.
Some advocates´ names also are being mentioned for SC justices. According to the source, senior advocates Shambhu Thapa, Badri Bahadur Karki, Hari Har Dahal, Sushil Panta, advocates Hari Uprety, Hari Krishna Karki among others are also being considered.
"These advocates´ contribution is laudable enough, but some of them are found to be openly engaged in unhealthy race while others are bargaining for a permanent appointment," the source added.
On top of this, the involvement of Law Minister Brijesh Kumar Gupta in the appointment process is intriguing. Minister Gupta, who attends JC meeting as ex-officio member, has already warned that he would not endorse any appointment as there is no Madhesi candidate.
"There must be a Madhesi candidate for the post," the source quoted Minister Gupta as saying at a recent JC meeting. "Otherwise, I will walk out of the meeting without endorsing any appointments."
Another knowledgeable source added that the JC is likely to fill only four vacant posts this time in view of the complicated situation. "The JC is likely to pick two appellate court chief judges, one candidate from law faculty and one from among competent advocates," the source added.
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