KATHMANDU: Advocates have protested against the appointment of the Minister from the recommendation of Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana.

Speaking at a program organized in Kathmandu on Saturday, advocates including former Attorney General  Mukti Pradhan  sought further clarification and action against Chief Justice Rana for his role in the appointment of Gajendra Hamal as the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies.

Senior Advocate Dr. Dinesh Tripathi demanded the resignation of Chief Justice Rana.

“This is a matter of public concern. The very spirit of constitutionalism has been attacked. The independence of the judiciary was destroyed after the appointment of the post. There is an unholy nexus between the executive and the judiciary. This is a matter of serious concern,” Tripathi said, adding,  “I openly demand his resignation.”

He said that had the political parties of Nepal been accountable to the people,  and had sense of morality and credibility,  they would and should file impeachment motion against the Chief Justice for the latter’s breach of the ethics and code of conduct of judiciary itself.

Similarly, advocate Omprakash Aryal opined that Chief Justice Rana should resign.

“The Chief Justice had earlier talked of appointing two persons, Deepak Timilsina and Gajendra Hamal, as ministers.” advocate Aryal said, adding, “Now the same person is appointed as the Minister. It gives enough ground to be skeptic about the Chief Justice. The ground of judicial morality is gone..”

He also remarked that it was unfortunate for the leadership of the judiciary to seek a share in the executive.

“If the Chief Justice abuses his position, not only the people in the legal field but everyone should oppose it,” Aryal added ahead.