KATHMANDU: Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana has decided not to participate in the hearing to be conducted on the writ relating to the appointments made by the Constitutional Council. The writ petition has demanded the cancellation of the appointments made by the Constitutional Council.

After the question was raised over CJ Rana’s presence in the constitutional bench, comprising CJ Rana and Justices Dipak Kumar Karki, Mira Khadka, Hari Krishna Karki and Ishwori Prasad Khatiwada, while he was made defendant in the writ petition, he decided to recue himself from the hearing.

Press expert at SC, Kishor Poudyal informed that CJ Rana would stay on leave on the days of preliminary hearing and final hearing of the case for the facilitation. Next hearing on the writ petition is scheduled next Friday.

Although the Constitutional Council is formed under the leadership of Chief Justice as per constitution, CJ Rana decided to stay away from hearing the writ petition after question was raised.

Senior advocates Shambhu Thapa and Dinesh Tripathi and advocate Om Prakash Aryal had questioned the presence of CJ in the hearing relating to the ordinances issued on and since December 15, 2020.