"I believe that rule of law is the main pillar in institutionalizing democracy in the country and a free judiciary a precondition for the establishment of rule of law," he told reporters immediately after he assumed office on Sunday. [break]
Earlier in the morning, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered oath of office and secrecy to Shrestha.
He also presented a seven-point list of his plans. He expressed commitment to work toward controlling corruption, establishing clean image of the judiciary, implementing court verdicts effectively and implementing scientific system in the management of cases.
He vowed to give priority to judicial reform. "Our past efforts have failed to yield significant results due to the lack of enough experience and resources but still we will intensify the endeavors," he said.
When asked about his view on extending the Constituent Assembly (CA) deadline to promulgate the new constitution, he said that should be in accordance with the interim constitution. "The constitution has a specific provision about this issue. That should be followed while taking any decision," Shrestha said.
When asked whether extending the CA deadline by declaring a state of emergency as per the constitution would be valid, he said that is a political decision that should be taken by the CA and doesn´t fall under the apex court´s jurisdiction. "If anyone files a writ petition in this connection, then only we will think about it," he quipped.
Shrestha succeeded former Chief Justice Anup Raj Sharma as he was the senior most justice in the SC. Sharma retired on Friday.
Shrestha, who has been serving in the judiciary for the last 34 years, has a reputation of passing bold verdicts, especially during the king´s direct rule and has a clean image. He joined the SC on January 29, 2003, as a temporary justice.
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