Nepal Bar Association serves a 10-day ultimatum to the govt to appoint Chief Justice

Published On: April 12, 2023 07:45 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

Kathmandu, April 12: The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has given the government a 10-day ultimatum to appoint the Chief Justice.

Organizing a press conference in the capital on Wednesday, the umbrella organization of lawyers across the country warned of launching a series of protest programs if the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is not appointed within 10 days.

Speaking at a press conference, NBA President Gopal Krishna Ghimire warned that a protest program would be unveiled if the Chief Justice is not appointed within 10 days.

Ghimire said that the NBA will meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday to put forth the same demand. There is a constitutional provision that the Constitutional Council chaired by the Prime Minister should recommend candidates for the appointment of the Chief Justice.

"We have reached the stage where we feel that it is time to begin protest. We will wait 7 to 10 days. If our demand is not met, there will be a movement. If the Supreme Court also does not pay attention to the management of hearings by applying fully automated procedures, the Bar will take a proper decision,’’he said.,

“Our main issue today is the appointment of the Chief Justice. If the Chief Justice is not permanent, we understand that the Executive and the Legislature have cheated the Supreme Court. Our demand is that the Chief Justice should be appointed immediately,” he further said.

Similarly, Supreme Court Bar Council President Hari Shankar Niraula demanded the appointment of the Chief Justice, and conclusion of the impeachment process of former Chief Justice Cholendra SJB Rana as soon as possible.

“The Supreme Court now runs under the Chief Justice. It's been over a year now since there is no Chief Justice. It should be appointed in accordance with the law immediately. Not having this appointment is not a good sign for the entire judiciary,”he said. “The government should pay full attention to this. The perversion, inconsistency and corruption of the judiciary must come to an end.”