KATHMANDU, April 3: In a move aimed at breathing new life into Nepal’s overburdened constitutional justice system, the Supreme Court of Nepal on Friday unveiled a dedicated web portal for its Constitutional Bench, promising greater transparency, efficiency and public access to proceedings that often shape the country’s political and legal trajectory.
Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla inaugurated the portal amid a formal programme at the court, describing the initiative as a step toward restoring both functionality and public trust in a bench widely regarded as the ultimate guardian of the Constitution.
“The Constitutional Bench is the heart of the federal democratic republic and the final interpreter of the Constitution,” Malla said. “Yet it has long been weighed down by heavy caseloads and procedural delays. Our focus now is to make it more active, efficient and trustworthy.”
The urgency is evident. The bench is currently grappling with more than 282 pending cases, some of which date back over eight years. Of these, 73 cases have remained unresolved for more than five years—underscoring persistent concerns about judicial delay in matters of national significance.
Acknowledging systemic challenges, Malla noted that some case files had even been damaged, but stressed that efforts were underway to ensure continuity and diligence in hearings. She also signalled a departure from past practices that frequently saw hearings adjourned due to time constraints or lack of preparation.
To address these issues, the bench will now convene mandatorily twice a week, a move expected to accelerate hearings and reduce backlog.
Beyond case management, the newly launched portal is designed to serve as a comprehensive digital interface, allowing users to track proceedings—from filings and orders to final verdicts—on a single platform. Court officials say this could mark a turning point in making constitutional litigation more accessible to the public.
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Malla, who recently assumed office as Acting Chief Justice, framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to ensure that constitutional ambiguities are addressed in a timely manner, particularly those affecting governance and democratic legitimacy.
“In a democracy, respect for the people’s mandate is paramount,” she said, adding that election-related disputes would now be accorded the highest priority. “A verdict delivered after the expiry of a term holds little meaning.”
She announced an ambitious target to resolve at least one-third of the sub judice cases within the next three months, while also working to clarify jurisdictional overlaps among federal, provincial and local governments—issues that have increasingly surfaced in Nepal’s federal structure.
The Acting Chief Justice also reiterated the court’s commitment to technological reform, including plans for online case registration, digital payments, virtual hearings and broader access to judgments. She expressed support for live streaming key hearings, though noting that technical limitations remain.
A task force will be formed to explore expanding live streaming, which has so far been used selectively in high-profile cases. “It is important not only to deliver justice, but also to ensure that people can see justice being delivered,” she said.
Justice Nahakul Subedi, who coordinates the court’s IT Committee, described the portal as a significant step toward modernising judicial services. Chief Registrar Bimal Paudel added that the platform would enhance transparency by consolidating all Constitutional Bench-related information in one place.
Similarly, IT Division head Gaurinath Koirala said the portal had been developed as a dedicated application within the court’s broader digital system.
The Constitutional Bench, established under Article 137 of the Constitution, holds the authority to interpret constitutional provisions, settle jurisdictional disputes across tiers of government, and adjudicate election-related cases, among others.
As of now, the SC is burdened with a total of 27,147 pending cases—an enduring reminder of the structural challenges facing Nepal’s judiciary. Whether the new portal can help ease that burden and restore confidence in the system remains to be seen, but for now, it signals a clear push toward a more transparent and technology-driven judiciary.
