Nepal Bar Association Protests Restrictions on Lawyers Entering Singha Durbar

Kathmandu. A debate has emerged recently regarding the restricted access for legal professionals entering Singha Durbar, where entry is no longer being granted easily based on their professional identification cards.

Although the government has tightened security to control overcrowding within the administrative complex, the move has caused significant difficulties for service seekers and lawyers visiting for legal consultations. Legal professionals have expressed strong objections as the new restrictions have hindered their ability to attend hearings at the Administrative Court located within Singha Durbar and visit various ministries. Nepal Bar Association President Bijay Prasad Mishra stated that the restrictions have created obstacles for lawyers attempting to attend court proceedings.

Mishra noted that the Bar has drawn the government's attention to the grievances of legal professionals. He visited the Singha Durbar gate on Wednesday to investigate the matter. Upon discovering that the restrictions were based on a circular from the Ministry of Law, he stated, 'We have already drawn the attention of the Law Secretary and the Home Secretary. After being denied entry, the Bar has formally requested Prime Minister Balen Shah to facilitate access.' He added that they are awaiting a government response before deciding on further actions.

Following the implementation of these restrictions, the Nepal Bar Association formally expressed its objection on Thursday. Since Sunday, the government has required lawyers to obtain gate passes, a departure from the previous practice of allowing entry based on professional ID cards. The Bar has urged Prime Minister Balen Shah to facilitate entry for lawyers using their identification cards.

On Wednesday, Bar General Secretary and Senior Advocate Kedar Prasad Koirala drew the Prime Minister's attention to the issue. 'We request that, as in the past, legal professionals be allowed unrestricted access to the Singha Durbar premises based on their professional ID cards, in accordance with the previous arrangement,' the Bar stated.

Senior Advocate Purna Man Shakya argued that it is inappropriate to restrict lawyers from entering Singha Durbar. He emphasized that since the Administrative Court is located within the complex, lawyers must have access to perform their duties. 'If access is restricted, the Supreme Court could issue a writ if cases at the Administrative Court cannot be heard,' he warned.

CPN-UML lawmaker Suhang Nembang stated that, according to the spirit of the Constitution and the law, lawyers should have easy access to their offices and government offices. While he acknowledged the government's positive intention to reduce disorder and overcrowding, he warned that failing to manage this properly could disrupt daily public services.

Nembang emphasized that rather than prohibiting lawyers, who are directly involved in solving public problems, the government should adopt a balanced management approach. 'It is good that the government wants to remove irregularities, but it should not hinder overall service delivery in the name of taking action against those causing them,' Nembang said. He added that while the government's intentions may be good, it is essential to balance administrative order with public access and professional dignity.

Since 2046 BS, lawyers have been granted entry based on Bar Council and Nepal Bar Association ID cards. Because the Administrative Court, the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Parliamentary Hearing Committee are located within Singha Durbar, this access has been considered essential. The restrictions were only tightened following the formation of the new government.

Rabi's Promise Remains Unfulfilled, Public Still Facing Hardship

During his tenure as Home Minister in 2081 BS, RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane had announced that he would make access to Singha Durbar easier for the general public. On 2081 Jestha 32, Lamichhane declared this as a golden achievement of his tenure, but the promise of citizen access has remained limited to rhetoric.

Although Lamichhane had claimed that 'no one will need to know anyone' to enter Singha Durbar, access has become even more restricted. Despite promises to end the practice where people only get passes or entry through personal connections or phone calls, the public continues to face significant hardship.