Nepal Bar Association President Opposes Removal of Lottery System for Case Assignment

Kathmandu. Nepal Bar Association President Prof. Dr. Vijayprasad Mishra has objected to the preparation to remove the lottery system for case assignment in the Supreme Court.

Speaking at an interaction program on 'Mental Health and Stress Management' organized in Kathmandu, he objected to the preparation to remove the lottery system for case assignment. He warned that if the system of assigning cases by the Chief Justice himself is revived instead of assigning cases through the lottery system, it will push the judiciary towards political influence. He also said that if the lottery system implemented in the Supreme Court is removed, a strong protest will be launched.

Raising questions about the process of appointing the Chief Justice, President Mishra commented that the practice of appointing individuals favored by the Prime Minister through the Constitutional Council has begun. He also stated that thousands of people are mobilized to label individuals who criticize the government as 'Jhole' (a derogatory term). He mentioned that the judiciary is currently facing a serious situation, and in such a situation, legal practitioners should not lose their विवेक (wisdom/discretion).

He said, 'Now the news is coming that the lottery system is being removed in the Supreme Court. If it is removed, there is another anxiety about what protest to do. Now, one does not even have to make sacrifices to become the Chief Justice. The practice of appointing whomever the Prime Minister likes through the Constitutional Council has started. Has the tendency to become Chief Justice developed if the person is liked by the Prime Minister? Should this be accepted or removed? If something is said against the government, ten thousand people are mobilized saying this person is a 'Jhole'. Even in this situation, we should not lose our विवेक (wisdom/discretion). It is the lawyers who strengthen our judges even in this time.'

He also stated that it is the responsibility of legal practitioners to strengthen the court and judges.