CJ Parajuli submits resignation to Prez Bhandari; Acting Chief Justice Joshi assumes office

Kathmandu / Mar 15: Supreme Court Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli has submitted his resignation to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today.

Joint-speaker at the Office of the President Keshav Prasad Ghimire informed that the CJ submitted his resignation to the Prez during their meeting today at the latter’s official residence, Sheetal Niwas.

The Office of the President has said in a statement that the Chief Justice has resigned as per Section 131 (a) of the Constitution, to be effective from March 15, 2018.

The recent development unfolded in the wake of the letter forwarded by Judicial Council to the Office of the President, among others, on Wednesday, stating that Parajuli had been relived of his responsibilities.

According to the details of the letter signed by JC Secretary Nrip Dhwaj Niraula, Parajuli was informed about his retirement on grounds of him exceeding his retirement age of 65 years on August 5, 2017.

“As per the details of your citizenship certificate, academic qualification, sheet-roll details and a letter dispatched today by the Office of the Controller of Examinations, Bhaktapur, you had reached retirement age on August 5, 2017,” the letter read.

Acting Chief Justice Joshi assumes office

Meanwhile, Supreme Court’s senior-most Justice, Deepak Raj Joshi has assumed office as the acting Chief Justice today.

Acting Chief Justice Joshi has begun his work by designating cases to the justices.

The Judicial Council yesterday had relieved Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli from his responsibilities, through a letter, citing that he had reached the retirement age last year.