Six Supreme Court Judges Nominated for Chief Justice Post Held Up at Constitutional Council Secretariat
Summary
The appointment of Nepal's next Chief Justice is delayed due to stalled recommendations at the Constitutional Council Secretariat amid debates over seniority versus political selection.
Key Points
- Six Supreme Court judges have been recommended for the Chief Justice post but the list is stalled at the Constitutional Council Secretariat.
- Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut is set to retire, and a seniority-based appointment process is being debated amid political interference concerns.
- The Rastriya Swatantra Party might bypass seniority in appointing the Chief Justice, which the Nepal Bar Association opposes as a threat to judicial independence.
- Past Supreme Court rulings highlight seniority as the primary basis for Chief Justice appointments, warning against supersession to maintain judiciary independence.
