Preparations to introduce automated system to schedule cases at SC in final stage

Published On: November 22, 2021 12:15 PM NPT By: Bhasha Sharma

KATHMANDU, Nov 22: Preparations for the day-to-day assignment of hearing using lottery system in the Supreme Court have reached the final stage. The scheduling of cases that the Chief Justice has been taking care of for years is about to begin using an automation system.

Demanding the resignation of Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher JB Rana, the justices boycotted the hearing assigned by CJ Rana since October 24. Following which, the apex court has decided to assign cases using an automation system.

With the new system, the cases will not be assigned as per the wish of the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice has been accused of postponing the hearing of the case at any time he wants, and of assigning himself only the case he is willing to hear. The issue has courted controversy in the judiciary.

The procedure of amending the rules and regulations is being published in the Gazette on Monday. After its publication in the Gazette, the full court meeting of the apex court will decide the date of its implementation.

Spokesperson of the Supreme Court Baburam Dahal said that the revised material edited by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs was sent to the Gazette on Friday. “To start the automation system, it has to be published in the Gazette. We sent the material on Sunday. It will be published tomorrow [Monday],” he said.

Once the automation system is implemented, all kinds of cases will be heard in the Supreme Court. At the same time, the court administration, which has been halted for four weeks, will resume.

A total of 19 judges who have been demanding the resignation of CJ Rana have also agreed to hear cases if they cases are scheduled through the lottery system for now.

On Sunday, Chief Justice Rana had fixed 334 cases of all kinds. Out of them, hearings were conducted only on 18 cases. The justices have heard cases related to habeas corpus, judicial remand, retrial and conciliation.

The justices have said that they will not give up the demand for a 'graceful exit' of the Chief Justice even after the process of hearing is resumed. They have also maintained that they will not hear the cases in joint benches with the Chief Justice.