The forum of former justices has stated that the recent recommendations and appointments of judges to the Supreme Court (SC) and the High Court (HC) by the Judicial Council have hit the image of judiciary.
Issuing a press statement on Wednesday the forum has said lack of completion of due procedures during the appointments and recommendations has seriously drawn its attention. "We feel that complete disregard of seniority, competence, integrity, moral purity and the processes that had to be mandatorily complied in accordance to the Judicial Council Act and regulations has hit the image of judiciary," the statement reads.
The forum has concluded that such recommendations and appointments will ultimately bring about bad results in delivery of justice. "It is certain that will have serious repercussions in delivery of justice as the honest and competent individuals in the judiciary will be deflated by this," the forum reasons.
The forum has also drawn attention of everybody to the repercussions of the recommendations and appointments on the image of judiciary and delivery of justice. "This institution urge everybody to be serious and accountable to that."
The Judicial Council on April 2 had recommended five justices for the SC and 18 for HC. Chief Justice of Patan High Court Prakash Dhungana and that of Surkhet High Court Sushma Lata Mathema, and senior advocate Kumar Regmi, and advocates Hari Phuyal and Manoj Kumar Sharma were recommended for SC.
Regmi is considered close to the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) and Phuyal close to the ruling CPN while Sharma is the nephew of former CJ Damodar Sharma.
The recommendations and appointments of some have been widely criticized. The issue was raised even during the conference of judges that started a day after the appointments.
The SC Bar Association on Monday decided to ask the bar's representative in the Judicial Council about the grounds and reasons for recommendations and appointments of judges to the SC and the HC respectively.
The trade union of SC has also warned the Judicial Council that it will seek resignation of its office-bearers and not cooperate in functioning of the Apex Court if the recommendations and appointments of judges are not corrected.
