COURT CONTEMPT

The Kathmandu Post

4 May 2014

COURT CONTEMPT

The recent nomination of eight Justices to the Supreme Court(SC) has dragged the Judicial Council (JC) into controversy and is now the hot topic for the parliament (“Controversy lands in House” 30 April, Page 1). The Nepal Bar Association has heavily criticised the JC’s act and urged the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee (PHSC) to seriously take the media reports concerning bad reputations of the JC nominated Justices and act accordingly. Lawmakers from the ruling parties even raised concerns during the zero hour session on Tuesday about the tainted images of the nominated judges.

It is a matter of concern also as to what compelled the JC members to nominate such tainted judges to the permanent position in SC. Why could the Chief Justice not use his authority to stop the nomination of such tainted judges? Are some unseen forces trying to politicize and destabilise our judicial system? Can the independence of the judiciary system be maintained with such controversial judges? The time has come for the PHSC to rise above the party politics and act responsibly to save the independence and traditional glory of Nepal’s judiciary system.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj