Sapana Pradhan Malla Appointed Acting Chief Justice of Nepal

Kathmandu. Following the retirement of Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut due to the age limit, senior-most Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla will assume the responsibilities of Acting Chief Justice starting Wednesday. Malla, who takes on this acting role, comes from a legal professional background.

Raut, who spent 33 years in legal practice and 8 years as a Supreme Court Justice, became Chief Justice on 2081 Ashoj 20. He was in the line of succession for Chief Justice since his appointment as a judge on 2073 Saun 17. Malla bid farewell to Raut on Tuesday following his mandatory retirement due to the 65-year age limit.

For the position of the next Chief Justice, the Judicial Council has recommended the names of senior-most Justice Malla along with Justices Kumar Regmi, Hari Phuyal, Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Dr. Nahakul Subedi, and Til Prasad Shrestha.

According to constitutional provisions, the Constitutional Council must recommend the name of a new Chief Justice one month before the incumbent retires. The new Chief Justice is appointed by the President following approval from the Parliamentary Hearing Committee.