Sapana Pradhan Malla assumes office as Acting Chief Justice

KATHMANDU: Senior-most Supreme Court (SC) justice Sapana Pradhan Malla has taken charge as Acting Chief Justice following the retirement of Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut on Tuesday upon reaching the age limit of 65.

As per Article 129(9) of the Constitution of Nepal, the senior-most justice of the Supreme Court automatically assumes the role of Acting Chief Justice when the position falls vacant.

Justice Malla has nearly a decade of judicial experience. She is widely recognized for landmark rulings on gender equality, gender-based violence, and constitutional issues.

A former member of the first Constituent Assembly and a senior advocate, she has played a significant role in advancing rights-based jurisprudence in Nepal.

The Judicial Council had earlier recommended a roster of six eligible justices for the position of Chief Justice to the Constitutional Council, including Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hari Phuyal, Manoj Kumar Sharma, Nahakul Subedi and Til Prasad Shrestha.

However, the appointment of a new Chief Justice has been delayed due to the inactivity of the Constitutional Council following the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Key positions such as Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and leader of the main opposition remain vacant, preventing the Council from making a recommendation.

With the Federal Parliament session scheduled to begin on the 19th, the Constitutional Council is expected to be reconstituted after the election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and selection of the opposition leader. The process of appointing a new Chief Justice, including parliamentary hearings, is likely to take at least a month.

Justice Malla holds a law degree from Nepal Law Campus under Tribhuvan University, a master’s degree in law from the University of Delhi, and a master’s in public administration from Harvard University.

Before her judicial appointment, she worked extensively in law, human rights, and international organizations, including serving as an expert member of the United Nations Committee against Torture.