KATHMANDU: The Nepal Bar Association (NBA), the umbrella organization of legal professionals in Nepal, has called for an investigation into allegations linking the Chief Justice and other judges to Inam Sapkota, who is reportedly under investigation for his alleged role as a middleman.
Messages reportedly linking Supreme Court Judge Hari Phuyal and Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma to Sapkota, who is currently in custody, have recently been made public.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NBA said media outlets had recently published details of alleged conversations and meetings between Supreme Court judges and individuals connected to a controversial case. Reports linking the Chief Justice to the matter had also surfaced, raising serious public concerns.
The Association said that questions raised publicly about the conduct of judges and the judiciary’s top leadership should not be dismissed as mere media reports and instead require a formal investigation.
“Such sensitive matters need to be investigated through a truthful, impartial, credible and transparent process,” the statement said.
It also stressed the need for the officials concerned to adhere to their respective codes of conduct in light of the sensitive allegations involving the judiciary. The association said high-ranking officials must demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct.
The statement was signed by NBA General Secretary and Senior Advocate Kedar Prasad Koirala.
The association urged all competent authorities to conduct a fair, independent, credible and timely investigation into the matters made public and disclose the findings.
It further demanded that appropriate legal action be taken if any unlawful conduct is established, regardless of the position or status of those involved.
At the same time, the NBA called for the authorities to clarify the situation in a manner that protects the reputation of the individuals concerned and the institutional dignity of the judiciary if the allegations are not substantiated.
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