I’m proud of my verdict, says outgoing SC judge

Supreme Court Judge Badri Kumar Basnet, one of the four apex court judges who had removed the Mahalaxmi Sugar Mill from the list of bank defaulters, said today that he was proud of his verdict on the case. He retired from his job today due to age bar. The SC organised a function to bid him farewell. The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had recommended the House of Representatives to impeach him. Arjun Prasad Singh, another judge involved in controversy, retired four months ago. Justice Kedar Prasad Giri and Top Bahadur Magar had upheld the initial verdict passed by Singh and Basnet. Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Paudel, other justices and court officials attended the farewell programme. “Nobody had pointed out figure at me during my 39-year-long service in the Judiciary, but I faced such a bitter experience prior to my retirement,” he said, adding: “I am proud of my verdict.” Stating that he contributed for the promotion and protection of human rights while in office, Basnet accused the mediapersons and lawyers of dragging him into controversy.