The parliamentary hearing process for four individuals recommended for appointment as Supreme Court justices has begun.
The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has invited complaints against high court chief judge Ratna Bahadur Bagchand and judges Chandra Bahadur Saru, Janak Pandey, and Gokarna Dangi, who have been recommended for appointment to the Supreme Court.
The committee has urged members of the public to file complaints, supported by clear grounds and evidence, if they believe any of the nominees are unsuitable for appointment as justices.
According to the committee, complaints may be submitted within 10 days from the date of publication of the notice, during office hours, either at the committee’s secretariat or at any District Administration Office.
Complainants must clearly state their name, surname, address, and phone number. However, those who do not wish to disclose their identity may also submit complaints confidentially.
About 20 days ago, a meeting of the Judicial Council recommended one high court chief judge and three judges for appointment to the Supreme Court.
However, senior-most Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, who is also a member of the Judicial Council, and another council member, Mahesh Kumar Nepal, expressed their disagreement with the decision by submitting notes of dissent.
Justice Pradhan Malla stated that seniority had been overlooked without sufficient grounds or justification, that the recommendations were not inclusive, and that the Nepal Bar Association was not represented. She also noted that she neither participated in nor agreed with the entire recommendation process.
Similarly, Judicial Council member Nepal expressed disagreement with the decision to recommend judges Janak Pandey and Gokarna Dangi for appointment to the Supreme Court.
