KATHMANDU: Opposition lawmakers have strongly objected to the schedule set to conclude the parliamentary hearing process for proposed Chief Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma within a single day.
During Tuesday’s meeting of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, opposition lawmakers argued that they had not been given adequate time to study the complaints and Sharma’s work plan, demanding that the hearing process be postponed until Wednesday.
CPN-UML lawmaker Prem Prasad Dangal mocked the committee’s schedule, saying the process was being rushed excessively.
“The discussion with complainants is scheduled for 10 am and the hearing at 1:30 pm. It feels as though the complainants are already waiting outside in line,” he said. “We need time to study both the complaints and the proposed chief justice’s work plan. We can even meet at 7 am tomorrow if needed.”
Another UML lawmaker, Nar Bahadur Bista, questioned the committee’s working style and expressed frustration over the pace of the process.
“What kind of haste is this? What kind of rule is this? Is this a new practice where anything goes?” he said. “If the intention is simply to endorse the recommended candidate without completing due process, then this should not be called a hearing committee but an approval committee.”
Meanwhile, Nepali Communist Party lawmaker Barshaman Pun said the decision of the Constitutional Council should be respected while ensuring the process remains error-free.
“The Constitutional Council includes representatives from all three organs of the state and the opposition as well. We are not here merely to oppose the executive’s decision,” Pun said. “But the process must be completed properly, while also avoiding unnecessary delays.”
He added that lawmakers should be given time to carefully review Sharma’s six-year work plan and his proposal to publicly disclose progress reports every four months.
“Let us study everything properly today and begin the hearing tomorrow morning. There is already a majority to pass it, so that is not the issue. What matters is that the process appears perfect,” Pun said.
UML lawmaker Padma Aryal also argued that trying to complete all procedures in a single day would undermine the dignity of the committee.
“We received the complaints today, let us study them tomorrow and hold discussions the following day,” she said. “Rushing through everything today would only make it appear as though the executive’s decision is being blindly endorsed.”
A total of 16 complaints — including 11 submitted via email and five written complaints — have been filed against Sharma.
Following mounting pressure from opposition lawmakers, the hearing process scheduled for Tuesday afternoon is now likely to be postponed.
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