CJ assigns eight benches for hearing all types of cases

Kathmandu: Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JBR has assigned a hearing for all types of cases including the habeas corpus cases for Friday. Out of the eight benches assigned for the hearing, seven are division benches and one is a single bench.

Although the hearing has been designated, the hearings have not yet started.

The Supreme Court Justices have been refusing to conduct the hearing since October 24, calling for Chief Justice JBR’s resignation after allegations that he sought a share in the expansion of the Council of Ministers and this has raised a question on the dignity of the judiciary.

[Related: Nepal’s judiciary debacle: Serious allegations are directed toward the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Nothing has happened since]

Hearing into cases has not taken place in the Supreme Court from October 25 onwards. The hearing has been held only on cases related to habeas corpus in between.

[Related: Editorial | Nepal’s judiciary in crisis: Collusion among the judiciary, executive and legislature must end to ensure reforms]

Chief Justice JBR has argued that he has become the Chief Justice as per the due process of the constitution and the laws, and is capable of and has been fulfilling his responsibility accordingly. He has also urged the other justices to fulfill their responsibilities as per the constitution and the laws.

[Related:Explainer: What is happening inside Nepal’s judiciary? Why is it difficult to correct the course?]

Hearing into cases has been stalled in the apex court and the service-seekers have been facing inconvenience due to this.

Security has been tightened due to the sit-in protest of the Nepal Bar Association in the court premises today.