Kathmandu: The Former Justices’ Forum Nepal has said the parliament to be formed after the coming elections can continue investigation into the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice, Cholendra Shumsher Rana.
At a news conference organized here Wednesday, Chairperson of the Forum, Top Bahadur Singh, argued if the present impeachment recommendation committee fails to conclude the investigation citing short of time, the next parliament to be formed after the election can take ownership of the present proceeding and forward the investigation accordingly.
He further suggested that the present committee could opt for transferring the ownership of the present investigation to the next parliament rather than giving conclusion in haste.
“The impeachment motion and the proceeding head to criminal offense and at a time when the accusation against him are being proved, the crime, consequence and liability exist as per Article 101 (8) of Constitution of Nepal.
Therefore, fair investigation should be continued following the legal procedure which may consume time. At such situation, Forum is of the view that it is better to have the proceeding owned by the next parliament and investigation continued,” said a press release issued by Singh.
The Forum also expressed concern over the statement recorded by the suspended CJ Rana on the former justices in a way it would mislead people on the justices’ image.
Singh also reminded that the Forum is an institution established in a legal manner and aimed at contributing to the clean image of judiciary through their knowledge and expertise. The Forum expresses concern over the misleading statement made by suspended CJ Rana about the Forum and its members.
Meanwhile, senior advocate Sambhu Thapa also condemned the statement given by the suspended CJ Rana and suggested that next parliament could continue investigation on Rana.
The impeachment recommendation committee has completed the first round of statement recording from Rana as part of the investigation. It had begun taking Rana’s statement since August 24. It was the fifth day on Tuesday that Rana’s views were recorded by the committee.
A total of 98 lawmakers from the House of Representatives had filed impeachment motion against Rana on February 13 early this year.
