Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Legal practitioners have announced a symbolic protest by lighting lanterns in response to recent developments at the Supreme Court.
Citing the Supreme Court’s refusal to register writ petitions, the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) executive committee decided on Monday to launch a lantern protest.
NBA General Secretary Senior Advocate Kedar Prasad Koirala said the protest would be held at 1:15 pm on Tuesday. “It is our symbolic protest to oppose the unexpected activities and conduct of the court administration and to seek justice, reason, and fair process.
The controversy at the Supreme Court intensified after acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla ordered the registration of a petition challenging the Constitutional Council’s recommendation to appoint Justice Manoj Sharma as the next Chief Justice.
Although Acting Chief Justice Malla ordered the apex court administration to register the petitions, registrar-level officials and other staff reportedly left the court premises immediately after the order.
The NBA has said the Supreme Court administration had defied the order issued by Acting Chief Justice Malla to register the petition. “The court administration’s refusal to comply even with the order of the Acting Chief Justice, who bears ultimate responsibility for judicial administration, was not only extraordinary and unnatural but also a historic mistake that would remain on record and could attract legal consequences,” it added.
The NBA also expressed concern over discussions in the House of Representatives on Monday regarding matters currently under consideration by the Supreme Court. It reminded lawmakers that sub judice matters cannot be discussed in parliament.
