“We decided to forward the probe committee´s report to parliament as per the article (105) of the Interim Constitution. The committee has indicted SC Justice Bam of dishonesty, incompetence and non-transparency while issuing verdicts,” said Chief Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha, adding, “Our objective behind forwarding the report to parliament is to initiate impeachment proceedings against Bam.” [break]
CJ Shrestha added that initiating an impeachment procedure as such falls under the jurisdiction of parliament. “An independent body like Judicial Council does not forward a report that indicts any judge to parliament for any other reason than taking necessary action,” Shrestha said.
CJ Shrestha also stated that he will not assign any bench to Justice Bam from Wednesday. “I won´t assign him any cases from tomorrow as JC has already decided to forward probe committee´s report to parliament,” he informed Republica.
Minister for Law and Justice Prem Bahadur Singh, who has been backing Justice Bam, however, ruled out any possible action against Bam. “Parliament can do nothing against Bam on the basis of the report as the report itself is controversial?” Singh said, adding, “Chief justice should assign cases to Bam from tomorrow.” Minister Singh has all along raised questions over the finding of the probe claming that its findings are biased.
As per the constitutional provisions, JC can only recommend parliament for necessary action against permanent SC justices.
The JC meeting also decided to sack Heutada Appellate Court Judge Tej Bahadur Karki. “We have asked him to furnish clarification within seven days. He will nonetheless be sacked,” CJ informed Republica.
The meeting, however, decided not to take any action against Biratnagar Appellate Court Judge Hari Bahadur Basnet as he has already resigned the post.
The probe committee had found Justice Bam and judges Basnet and Karki guilty of releasing notorious criminals Sanjay Shrestha, Rohit Paliwan Agrawal and Bhimsen Pandit on a low bail instead of sending them into custody as required by the existing laws. The trio was arrested on charges of kidnapping, murder and arms possession
The JC has also held lawyer Bhoj Raj Regmee guilty of involvement in the release of the criminals. “The JC hereby asks Nepal Bar Council and Nepal Bar Association to investigate into allegations against Regmee,” reads the JC decision.
Related story
This is why the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Rana i...
_20211114122844.jpg)
