Shrestha’s nomination for CJ endorsed by Parliamentary Hearing Committee

Kathmandu / Aug 21: The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has endorsed the recommendation of the Constitutional Council to appoint Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha as the new Chief Justice (CJ).

A meeting of the Committee held at the Singha Durbar today approved his nomination as the chief judge of the Supreme Court. The meeting was held under the chair of the Committee’s senior-most member (by age) Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana.

During the meeting, Shrestha presented his 18-page action plan. Prior to this, the Committee addressed complaints it received against the proposed Chief Justice.

As per the constitutional provision, the recommendation for the appointment of Chief Justice shall be made by the Constitutional Council and it requires to be endorsed by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee before the President makes an appointment on the post.

Shrestha has been taking charge of the acting Chief Justice since August 5 after erstwhile Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki retired due to age-limit.

The Constitutional Council had on August 3 nominated Shrestha, 63, who is the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as the Chief Justice. The Committee on August 9 had sought complaints, if any, against the proposed Chief Justice, and it has received three complaints. The complaint was required to be in decent language and supported by evidence. RSS