Kathmandu, May 7: Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma has been recommended by the Constitutional Council for appointment as the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal, despite being fourth in the seniority order.
The Constitutional Council made the recommendation during its meeting in Singh Durban. After parliamentary hearings and formal appointment procedures, Sharma will become Nepal’s 32nd Chief Justice.
However, it has been reported that the Chairperson of the National Assembly Narayan Dahal and the leader of the main opposition party Mr Bhishma Raj Angdembe from Nepali Congress submitted written dissenting opinions.
According to Article 284 of the Constitution of Nepal, a Constitutional Council chaired by the Prime Minister is responsible for recommending appointments for the Chief Justice and heads and officials of constitutional bodies.
The council currently consists of Prime Minister Balen Shah, Minister for Law Sobita Gautam representing the Chief Justice in the meeting, Speaker of the House of Representatives DP Aryal, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Dahal, opposition leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe, and Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari Thakur.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that all members were present at today’s meeting.
Constitutional provisions require the recommendation for a new Chief Justice to be made at least one month before the position becomes vacant.
In line with this provision, the Judicial Council on March 10 had recommended the names of senior Supreme Court justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hariprasad Phuyal, Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Nahakul Subedi, and Til Prasad Shrestha for consideration as the future Chief Justice. #Nepal
