Judicial Council sidesteps seniority, recommends 16th-ranked judge for SC
Summary
The Judicial Council has recommended four judges for the Supreme Court, bypassing several more senior judges and leaving out lawyers from the legal profession. The move has triggered dissent within the council and criticism from the Nepal Bar Association over inclusion, transparency and procedure.
Key Points
- The Judicial Council recommended four judges, including Chief Judge Dr Ratna Bahadur Bagchand, for appointment to the Supreme Court.
- Several higher-ranked chief judges and senior high court judges were bypassed in the recommendations.
- Senior SC Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla and JC member Mahesh Nepal filed notes of dissent, citing lack of transparency and objective criteria.
- The Nepal Bar Association criticized the council for excluding lawyers, women and Madhesis from the shortlist.
