RSP objects in Parliament to acting CJ’s order on petitions against chief justice recommendation

KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party has objected in the House of Representatives to Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla’s order to register petitions challenging the appointment process of the proposed chief justice.

Speaking during Monday’s House meeting under special time, RSP lawmaker Yagya Mani Neupane raised an objection to the move, calling it contrary to established judicial and administrative norms of the court.

Neupane, who is also an advocate, argued that the order violated long-standing principles governing the administrative and judicial functioning of the court.

The controversy comes amid growing tensions at the Supreme Court after Acting Chief Justice Malla ordered the registration of petitions against the administrative rejection of writs related to the chief justice recommendation.

Following the order, Supreme Court administrative staff reportedly left their offices, leaving most branches empty and disrupting court operations.

Legal professionals are also preparing protests against the conduct of court employees.

Earlier, Malla had directed the Supreme Court administration to register all pending petitions by 1 pm on Monday and place them on Tuesday’s hearing list.

The petitions challenge the decision of the Constitutional Council to recommend Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma for the post of chief justice.