High-Level Recommendations for Nepal’s Next Chief Justice

Kathmandu: The Judicial Council has recommended the names of six judges for the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The council meeting recommended these names for the appointment of a new Chief Justice, as the position will become vacant starting April 1.

Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut is retiring on April 1 due to the age limit of 65 years. The Judicial Council has recommended the names of the most senior Supreme Court Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, and Justices Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Kumar Regmi, Hari Phuyal, Til Prasad Shrestha, and Dr. Nahakul Subedi. Judges who have served in the Supreme Court for three years are eligible for the position of Chief Justice.

There is a provision to recommend the name of a new Chief Justice one month before the incumbent Chief Justice retires. The proposed Chief Justice, recommended by the Constitutional Council, is appointed after being approved through a parliamentary hearing.