Suspended Chief Justice Rana retires

KATHMANDU: Suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana is retiring from government service on Tuesday.

He served the last nine months of his nearly four-year tenure in suspension after an impeachment motion was filed against him in the parliament. Since the parties failed to take the impeachment motion to a conclusion, he is retiring while on suspension.

Rana was appointed Chief Justice on January 2, 2019.

Seniormost Justice Harikrishna Karki has been serving as the Acting Chief Justice after Rana was automatically suspended following the registration of an impeachment motion against him.

Rana’s retirement has paved the way for the appointment of the new Chief Justice. The Judicial Council will now recommend the candidate for Chief Justice to the Constitutional Council. The Constitutional Council will then forward the name for the parliamentary hearing. The President will appoint the Chief Justice after the name is approved by the hearing committee.