The controversial proposal openly backed by the UCPN (Maoist), CPN (UML) and the Nepali Congress (NC) calls for among others, formation of Constitutional Court, Judiciary Commission, reappointment of judges and mandatory two-year term for chief justice. However, Nepali Congress last week said it was willing to review its backing to the proposal.[break]
Today´s meeting was called by UCPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who heads the dispute resolution sub-committee of the Constituent Assembly, and is seen as the most significant response from the politicians to resolve the issue.
Sources present at the meeting said the team of justices, led by Chief Justice Khila Raj Regmi reiterated their opposition to the proposal. They insisted that the formation of constitutional court parallel to the Supreme Court would create a deep constitutional and legal crisis especially after the country enters federalism.
CJ Regmi, who has been vocal in public forums regarding the judiciary´s discontent, also suggested the leaders to opt for the formation of an exclusive bench under the Supreme Court to deal with constitutional issues instead of the proposed constitutional Court.
Maoist chairman Dahal, in turn, told the judges that their opinions would be reflected in ´actions´ of politicians, sources said.
Last month the Judges´ Society Nepal (JSN) held two regional meetings and vowed to protest the proposal.
Others present at the meeting were Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, leader Ram Chandra Paudel, UML leader Mahdav Nepal along with the sub-committee members. Accompanying CJ Regmi were senior judges Damodar Sharma, Ram Kumar Prasad Shah and Tahir Ali Ansari.
After the meeting, UML leader Nepal said judges´ concerns would be duly addressed. The meetingcame a day before the SC is due to decree on the government´s petition against the SC´s decision of not extending the CA term.
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