Proposed SC justices, Judicial Council member approved by hearing committee

KATHMANDU: The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has endorsed the nominations of three proposed justices for the Supreme Court and one member of the Judicial Council.

In its meeting held on Monday, the committee unanimously approved the names of senior advocate Meghraj Pokharel, Chief Judge of the High Court Janakpur Shreekant Paudel, and Chief Judge of the High Court Dipayal Shanti Singh Thapa for appointments to the Supreme Court bench. The decision was confirmed by committee assistant secretary Nirmala Devi Lamichhane Basti.

Additionally, the committee approved the nomination of Mahesh Kumar Nepal as a member of the Judicial Council.

The nominations were endorsed following discussions on the candidates’ professional views, legal philosophy, and complaints received during the review process.

Prior to this, the committee had advised Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, to ensure inclusivity in appointments to the judiciary and constitutional bodies. In response, Minister Chaurasiya expressed commitment to implementing the Parliament’s recommendation to promote inclusive representation in such appointments.

The endorsements mark a significant step forward in strengthening the judiciary and ensuring that appointments are based on merit, transparency, and broader representation.