Kathmandu, December 3

The Constitutional Council, which met today to discuss nomination of the next chief justice, postponed the meeting till December 8 after Leader of Opposition Sher Bahadur Deuba left to attend the Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting, according to Chairperson of National Assembly and a member of the CC Ganesh Timilsina.

The Judicial Council led by chief justice of Nepal had sent the names of senior-most justice of the Supreme Court Deepak Raj Joshee and another senior justice Cholendra Shamsher JB Rana for the post of CJ.

Joshee, who was earlier nominated for the post of CJ, was rejected by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee on August 3.  The CC is likely to recommend Rana for the post. CJ Om Prakash Mishra will retire on January 2 after reaching retirement age.

As per rules, the CC must nominate the CJ a month before the incumbent CJ retires.

Once the CC recommends the name of constitutional post holders, including the CJ, the PHC conducts a confirmation hearing.

The CC is also planning to recommend chairperson and members of the National Women Commission, National Dalit Commission, National Inclusion Commission, Indigenous Nationalities Commission, Madhesi Commission, Tharu Commission and Muslim Commission.