Govt to introduce new criminal justice system

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Law and Justice today said it was working to table a bill in parliament to introduce new criminal justice system.

“As per the instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office and cabinet, we are in final stage of preparation of the bill to be tabled in parliament,” said Madhav Poudel, Secretary at the ministry.

According to him, the new system will come into effect a year after the Act is promulgated and gets authentication from the President.

“We will introduce the bill consulting with concerned stakeholders including the Supreme Court and Nepal Bar Association,” Poudel said at a press conference today.

The new system will introduce lifetime imprisonment, life sentence up to 30 years--replacing 20-year life term.

The new criminal justice system will also bar the government and political parties from withdrawing criminal cases of serious nature.

The government is also preparing to promulgate Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code that are considered best practices in various countries like India, Australia and Japan.

A panel led by Justice Kalyan Shrestha had prepared a report on Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code and was submitted to the Prime Minister a few weeks ago.

“We have also proposed to list new crimes including attack on President and threat to him and the Legislature Parliament, disappearances to name a few,” added Poudel.

In the new system, probation and parole as well as suspension of sentence by the court

is going to be introduced

to give minors a chance to

improve.