KATHMANDU, Jan 8: Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli on Sunday told women lawyers to file writ petition at the Supreme Court if they think the recent appointment of chief judges for high courts violates the constitutional provision for giving due quota to women. 

“I did not appoint anyone bypassing candidates who deserve the post,” CJ Parajuli reportedly told a delegation of women lawyers who went to meet him on Sunday. “If you think so, you can come up with formal petition and the apex court will decide on the issue,” he added.

Expressing their serious concern for not giving due importance to women lawyers, the women lawyers led by Nepal Bar Association Vice-Chair Usha Malla Pathak had met with CJ Parajuli on Sunday. Pathak is also the chair of the Women's Committee of NBA.  The delegation included lawyers Anju Upreti Dhakal, Bishnu Maya Bhushal, Laxmi Pokhrel, Ranjeeta Karki, Indira Neupane and Nani Chhori Maharjan.

“If you think there was violation of the constitutional provision while making appointments, you can move the Supreme Court with the petition,” advocate Laxmi Pokhrel quoted CJ Parajuli as saying. 

“He, however, assured us of giving due representation in the future appointments at high courts,” advocate Pokhrel said.

The women lawyers expressed their concern that the Judicial Council did not pick up any woman judge or lawyer for the post of chief judge on Thursday.

“This appointment has on one hand clearly neglected the representation of Nepal Bar Association and on the other hand it has violated the principle of inclusion as required in Article 283 of the constitution,” a memorandum submitted to the CJ stated. 

The memorandum which was signed by the chair of the Women's Committee of Nepal Bar Association, Pathak, states that the appointment has violated Article 38(4) of the constitution by neglecting women while appointing chief judges and also called for giving due respect for appointment of women in the coming days.

 
• chief justice gopal parajuli
 
• supreme court
 
• women lawyers