Kathmandu, May 8
Supreme Court Judge Dr Manoj Sharma has been recommended for the position of Chief Justice. Thursday’s meeting of the Constitutional Council proposed Sharma as the Chief Justice.
This marks a historic first in Nepal’s judicial history; a judge ranked fourth in seniority has been recommended for Chief Justice, bypassing the most senior judges. If the Parliamentary Hearing Committee approves his name, he will become the 33rd Chief Justice of Nepal.
Sharma was appointed as a Supreme Court judge on April 19, 2019. If approved through the parliamentary hearing process, he will serve a full six-year term as Chief Justice.
The Constitutional Council passed over Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, as well as the two most senior judges, Kumar Regmi and Hari Phuyal, to recommend Sharma, who is fourth in the seniority order.
Born on June 18, 1970, in Parsa district, Sharma will turn 65 only on June 17, 2036. Since the restoration of democracy, no Chief Justice has completed a full six-year term. If he serves the full term, he will remain Chief Justice until 2032.
Sharma completed his law degree from Nepal Law Campus and his postgraduate studies in law from Pune University in India, and holds a doctorate in labour law. He had previously been appointed as an additional judge at the Court of Appeals but was retired when the provision for temporary judges was abolished.
He was later recommended for the Supreme Court during the tenure of Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, and was approved through the parliamentary hearing process.
