NBA calls meeting to discuss appointments

Kathmandu Dec 30-The appointment of four ad hoc justices at the Supreme Court is drawing criticism from all walks of life.

Objecting to the appointment, Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has called a special meeting this Sunday.

The special NBA meeting will have participation by former NBA presidents, the current NBA president, senior advocates, advisors, and the chiefs and secretaries of all NBA units in Kathmandu Valley.

With the King's approval, Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel Wednesday appointed outgoing Attorney General Pawan Kumar Ojha, senior advocate Bipulendra Chakrabarti, and appellate court judges Rajendra Kumar Koirala and Tahir Ali Ansari as temporary justices of the Supreme Court for two years. Meanwhile, the human rights organizations and FNJ have termed the appointments indicative of a regime "that is frantic following court rulings in favor of the people in public interest cases, especially habeas corpus petitions".

"The beginning of appointments of supporters of the February 1 move also indicates the possibility of another undemocratic move. We have strong objection to the appointments," a joint statement issued by the organizations says. The organizations have added that such appointments are counter to the supremacy of the constitution and independence of the judiciary and will reduce the judiciary to the status of a mere appendage of the executive.
12 human rights groups, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists and two rights activists have issued a statement expressing their serious objection to the appointments.

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