6 sources · 9 articles

Started 1 week ago · Updated 1 week ago

Acting Chief Justice Orders Registration of Writs Against Chief Justice Recommendation Amidst Objections

Photo · english.pardafas.com

Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla has ordered the Supreme Court administration to immediately register all writ petitions challenging the recommendation of Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma for Chief Justice, stating that blocking such petitions obstructs access to justice. This directive came after the Supreme Court administration reportedly refused to register the petitions, with allegations that Justice Sharma himself instructed the registrar not to proceed, leading to objections from lawyers and disruption of court operations.

• Lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) objected in Parliament to Acting Chief Justice Malla's order, calling it a conflict of interest and contrary to judicial norms.
• Supreme Court staff reportedly left their offices instead of implementing the order, creating further disruption and confusion.
• The petitions challenge the Constitutional Council's recommendation of Manoj Kumar Sharma, who is ranked fourth in seniority, for the Chief Justice position.
• Acting Chief Justice Malla cited constitutional and legal provisions, including Article 136 of the Constitution of Nepal, to justify her directive.
• Lawyers had met with Acting Chief Justice Malla to raise concerns about the refusal to register the petitions and subsequent appeals against that refusal.