Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane has objected to remarks made by Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla on Saturday on the occasion of Law Day.
Addressing an orientation programme for RSP lawmakers on Sunday, Lamichhane expressed dissatisfaction over Malla’s comments regarding the government’s recommendation for the Chief Justice.
“The recommendation of the Chief Justice was said to have deviated from tradition and was termed unconstitutional. How did the Judicial Council recommend those six names?” Lamichhane questioned. “If it was meant to go to the senior-most Justice, it could have been done directly. Why was there a need for the Constitutional Council?”
Lamichhane also claimed there would have been discussions of power-sharing today had the tradition of appointing the senior-most Justice as Chief Justice been followed. “Courts should not treat the matter lightly. The focus should be on how justice can be delivered to people. Justice must not remain confined to paper.”
On Saturday, Acting Chief Justice Malla had warned that self-serving actions carried out by undermining legal and constitutional traditions could reflect tendencies of authoritarianism. She said that dismantling established structures in the name of change and attempting to impose one’s own version of excellence could undermine trust in those in power and shatter the expectations of those who believe in the rule of law.
Malla’s reaction came after the Constitutional Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, recommended Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma—ranked fourth in seniority—for the post of Chief Justice.
