Constitutional Council

Dr. Manoj Sharma has been appointed the new Chief Justice of Nepal's Supreme Court, assuming office despite questions surrounding his appointment bypassing seniority. The Constitutional Council's recommendation of Sharma, a fourth-ranking justice, over the senior-most acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla has sparked debate about judicial independence and the separation of powers.

Manoj Kumar Sharma has assumed the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, pledging to uphold judicial independence and public trust. His appointment, bypassing more senior judges, has drawn criticism regarding potential politicization, while Sharma aims to implement reforms including a digital e-court system and specialized benches to address case backlogs and enhance transparency.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmakers in the House of Representatives have objected to an order by Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla to register writ petitions against the Constitutional Council's recommendation for Chief Justice. MPs Yagyamani Neupane and Samiksha Baskota argued that the order deviated from legal precedent and suggested a conflict of interest, while other MPs raised concerns about discussing judicial matters in parliament.

The Supreme Court's atmosphere has become peaceful and judicial work is proceeding smoothly following the return of Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma to the bench after a 12-day absence. Sharma resumed his duties on Wednesday, sitting on a joint bench with Justice Shrikant Poudel and hearing cases, ending an "undeclared stalemate" that had emerged due to seniority disputes among judges.

The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has unanimously endorsed Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Following this approval, President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sharma, officially appointing him to the position. Sharma is set to serve a full six-year term, concluding his tenure in May 2089 BS.