Bishwambher Prasad Shrestha to become new Chief Justice

KATHMANDU: The Constitutional Council has recommended Bishwambher Prasad Shrestha as the next Chief Justice.

Shrestha is currently serving as the senior-most Justice in the Supreme Court.

A meeting of the Constitutional Council held in Singha Durbar on Tuesday evening recommended Shrestha for the position.

Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki is set to retire on agen grounds in two days. His successor should have been named at least one month in advance, but it couldn’t happen as the government failed to convene the meeting of the Constitutional Council on time.

Shrestha will be appointed as the next chief justice after a parliamentary hearing on his appointment.

Shrestha was born in Silgadhi, Doti, in 1959. He entered the government service as a section officer with the Ministry of Law and Justice in 1982. His first judicial appointment was in the Darchula District Court in 1988. Shrestha later joined the Supreme Court as Deputy Registrar in 1992. Over the years, he has served as a District Judge in Udayapur, Makwanpur, Jhapa, Banke, and Kathmandu.

The Constitutional Council is composed of six members and is chaired by the Prime Minister. The council includes the Speaker, National Assembly Chairperson, Chief Justice, Deputy Speaker, and Leader of the Main Opposition Party as members. During meetings to recommend the Chief Justice, the Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs takes the place of the Chief Justice.