Beyond the ashes: How executive power is undermining Nepal’s judiciary
Summary
Arson and vandalism during the Gen Z protest damaged Nepal’s Supreme Court and 22 subordinate courts, disrupting hearings, destroying thousands of case files and weakening confidence in the judiciary. The article also examines how executive power and political appointments have deepened concerns over judicial independence.
Key Points
- Arson during the Gen Z protest damaged the Supreme Court and 22 subordinate courts, disrupting judicial services nationwide.
- Thousands of case files, records and court materials were destroyed, forcing months of reconstruction and delayed hearings.
- Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki’s appointment as prime minister and Anil Kumar Sinha’s ministerial role raised constitutional questions about former judges holding executive office.
- The executive’s role in appointing Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma instead of following seniority has intensified concerns about judicial independence.
