KATHMANDU, JUNE 1

After hours of debates over composition of the Constitutional Bench formed to hear petitions related to House dissolution and corresponding speculations, Supreme Court Chief Justice (CJ) Cholendra Shumsher Rana has now agreed to constitute bench members on the basis of seniority.

In a meeting with the representatives of Supreme Court (SC) Bar Association held Tuesday, CJ Rana disclosed that he would amend the regulation for operation of the Apex court to that regard.

The amendment of the regulation, which it has been proposed to be carried out within a week as agreed upon by both sides, would be endorsed by the full court. 'It will ensure appointment of judges in the bench based on seniority,' Senior Advocate Purna Man Shakya shared with media.

Should the new regulation come into force, CJ Rana will be joined by Justices Deepak Kumar Karki, Meera Khadka, Hari Krishna Karki, Bishwambhar Shrestha, respectively, with the likelihood of Justice Ishwar Khatiwada replacing Justice Karki.

Karki had earlier recused himself from the December 2020 hearing as questions were raised about him being a member of the bench.

With the recent development, the hearing on the petitions is likely to be adjourned today.