Nepal Transitional Justice Drive

The Supreme Court scheduled to hear a writ petition challenging the government's ordinance abolishing trade unions and professional organizations for civil servants and related government bodies.

The Supreme Court Constitutional Bench commenced hearing a writ petition filed by advocate Geeta Thapa challenging the first amendment ordinance related to the Constitutional Council, claiming it conflicts with the constitution.

The Supreme Court of Nepal upheld the acquittal of Judge Bhuwan Giri in a marital rape case brought by his ex-wife, confirming the High Court Patan's earlier verdict.

Nepal's government and parliament struggle to pass key constitutional implementation laws amid debates and amendments, overshadowing reforms mandated by the Supreme Court and the government's 100-point agenda.

The Supreme Court remained partially open from 11 am to 3 pm for two days during a series of public holidays including Bakar Eid and Republic Day, limiting court operations temporarily.

The Supreme Court delayed live broadcast plans of public interest case hearings due to technical and financial challenges and lack of infrastructure, despite prior commitments and legal demands.

The Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench, including Chief Justice Sharma, scheduled to hear a writ petition challenging the legality of the first amendment ordinance related to Nepal's Constitutional Council.

The Supreme Court of Nepal permitted defendants residing abroad to give statements via video conferencing through Nepali embassies, reversing a prior denial by the Special Court due to procedural concerns.

Nepal's Department of Money Laundering Investigation recommended prosecuting 29 individuals, including Deepak Bhatta and Sulav Agrawal, over illegal share transactions involving nearly Rs20 billion. The accused allegedly diverted Rs3.73 billion from companies to manipulate share prices and control the market.

Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma returned to the Supreme Court after a 12-day absence, leading to a peaceful atmosphere and resumption of judicial activities with courts hearing cases and legal practitioners expressing optimism.

Senior-most Judge Sapana Malla Pradhan took a 20-day leave following Dr. Sharma's appointment as Chief Justice, having acted as Chief Justice since April 2025 and expressing dissatisfaction with the appointment process.

Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma's appointment as Chief Justice caused Justice Kumar Regmi to lose his senior-most position and Judicial Council membership, while Acting Chief Justice Sapana Malla stepped down to become senior-most judge.

Nepal's Supreme Court banned the extraction and storage of women's eggs following illegal practices by fertility clinics, impacting many women needing donor eggs and prompting government regulatory efforts.

Manoj Kumar Sharma was officially sworn in as Chief Justice despite seniority bypass controversies, pledging a 19-point judicial reform agenda focusing on digital courts and case backlog reduction over his six-year term.

Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma was officially appointed as the 33rd Chief Justice of Nepal's Supreme Court for a six-year term, tasked with addressing over 22,000 pending cases and judicial controversies. His tenure is set to continue until Jestha 2089.

Nepal's Supreme Court prioritized discussion of a writ petition filed by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba challenging an arrest warrant against him, with a single bench ordering expedited consideration.

Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma's swearing-in as Chief Justice was scheduled for the evening, with President Ramchandra Paudel set to administer the oath. This followed the parliamentary committee's approval earlier that day.

The Parliamentary Hearing Committee unanimously endorsed Manoj Kumar Sharma as Nepal's chief justice and forwarded the recommendation to the president. Sharma presented a judicial reform plan focusing on e-court systems, backlog reduction, and transparency.

Constitutional expert Bipin Adhikari described the Supreme Court dispute over Chief Justice seniority as unhealthy for the rule of law, condemning administrative refusals to accept writs as undermining access to justice.

The Nepal Bar Association began protests against the Supreme Court administration for refusing to register writ petitions of constitutional importance, demanding adherence to constitutional orders and justice. The protests seek support from legal practitioners to uphold fair judicial processes amid the court's internal crisis.

Court officials ignored Acting Chief Justice Malla's order to register the writ petition challenging Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma's nomination, reportedly under Sharma's instructions, intensifying the Supreme Court's internal crisis and drawing Kathmandu Bar Association condemnation.

Parliamentary members from the ruling party questioned Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla's order to register a writ petition, while the Nepal Bar Association planned protests citing constitutional concerns and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari was signaled to return to active politics.

Supreme Court employees refused Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla's order to register a writ petition challenging the Constitutional Council's chief justice recommendation, provoking concerns about judicial independence and citizens' access to justice.

Nepal's Supreme Court is embroiled in a crisis with allegations of interference and obstruction linked to the appointment of Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma as Chief Justice, including accusations by Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla against senior officials and Sharma of delaying judicial petitions.

Seven formal complaints were filed against Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma during the parliamentary hearing process amid intensifying political controversies, including dissent within the Nepali Congress party.

Multiple complaints were filed against Manoj Kumar Sharma during the Parliamentary Hearing Committee’s review, amid ongoing division within the Supreme Court over his nomination and conduct.

The judiciary faced significant disruption following the Constitutional Council's controversial Chief Justice recommendation, resulting in internal divisions, delayed hearings, and warnings of constitutional crisis.

The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a writ petition accusing former Prime Ministers Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai of war crimes involving recruitment of child soldiers during the Maoist conflict.

The Nepali government appointed a committee headed by former Judge Achyut Prasad Bhandari to investigate allegations against former Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, with a 15-day deadline to submit findings.

The Nepal Bar Association formally objected to MP Ganesh Parajuli's parliamentary remarks accusing Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla of challenging the government, viewing it as a threat to judicial independence and promoting autocracy.

Nepal's Supreme Court issued interim orders halting government actions to abolish trade unions and student unions and to remove squatters, citing constitutional rights violations including freedom of association and housing rights.

Nepal's government declared political affiliation among employees a criminal offense, with employees found affiliated to any political party subject to dismissal and barred from future government service, as announced by President Ram Chandra Paudel.

The Parliamentary Hearing Committee initiated hearings on Manoj Kumar Sharma's contentious appointment as Chief Justice, drawing criticism from opposition leaders and the Nepal Bar Association over breached seniority and procedural concerns.

Nepal’s government pursued reforms to promote transparent, merit-based appointments in public institutions while cautioning against overly complex procedures that may hinder the selection of qualified leadership.

Nepal’s Constitutional Council recommended Manoj Kumar Sharma as chief justice, bypassing senior justices and sparking debate over judicial seniority and transparency among legal professionals and politicians.

Senior Advocate Baburam Dahal analyzed the constitutional validity and judiciary impact of selecting Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma as Chief Justice, noting the break from seniority traditions and its effects on judiciary independence.

The Constitutional Council recommended fourth-ranked Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma for Chief Justice, bypassing senior-most judge Sapana Malla, causing dissent and debate over seniority and merit in judicial appointments.

The new government removed 10 chairpersons and members of two transitional justice commissions linked to insurgency abuses to enable fresh, transparent, and politically independent appointments.

The Constitutional Council held a meeting at Singha Durbar to recommend a new Chief Justice for Nepal's Supreme Court, initiating the transitional justice leadership change process.

The Supreme Court of Nepal issued a mandamus directing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons to intensify investigations and expedite the transitional justice process.

Nearly two decades after the Comprehensive Peace Accord, transitional justice remains unresolved in Nepal with victims filing multiple writ petitions against government and judiciary delays and politicized commission appointments.

Victims of Nepal's Maoist insurgency urged Prime Minister Balendra Shah to prioritize credible transitional justice, highlighting hundreds of uninvestigated human rights violations and criticizing politicized commission appointments.