Kathmandu, June 7
The Supreme Court has turned down a writ petition filed to seek SC order to the government to appoint the new Chief Justice.
The petition was heard by Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana, who is third on the pecking order of justices in the apex court. Rana quashed the petition saying that an order was not found to be necessary in the case.
Petitioner Santosh Bhandari had demanded that that the court order the government to expedite the process of appointing the new Chief Justice. The position has fallen vacant after the Judicial Council relieved then CJ Gopal Prasad Parajuli of his position by putting an end to his age dispute.
During the hearing, Justice Rana asked the petitioner to show him that the Parliamentary Hearing Committee was in existence. After the petitioner failed to do so, Justice Rana said that the appointment cannot take place without the formation of the hearing committee.
The Judicial Council has already nominated Deepak Raj Josee, Om Prakash Mishra and Rana as the first, second and third choice of candidates for the post. However, the delay in the formation of the hearing committee has delayed the whole CJ appointment process.
