KATHMANDU: Chief Justice (CJ) Cholendra Shumsher Rana has refused to give the responsibility of Acting Chief Justice (CJ) to Senior Justice Deepak Karki, a source close to Rana said.

A meeting of the ruling parties’ meeting held on Thursday morning had suggested CJ Rana to appoint an Acting CJ in his absence.

Rana has been undergoing treatment at APF Hospital in Balambu since November 29 due to coronavirus infection.

According to Article 129 (6) of the Constitution, if the Chief Justice is out of the country or cannot attend the court due to other reasons, the senior-most judge will be given the responsibility in his absence.

The administration has been reluctant to accept Karki as Acting CJ as there is no official information that CJ Rana has fallen ill.

CJ Rana, meanwhile, has said that he would attend the court, most probably from Friday.