Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 5:

The Nepal Bar Association, an umbrella organisation of lawyers in the country and the Judicial Council, a constitutional body, today held discussions on combating corruption and irregularities in judiciary.

'We have agreed to move jointly against corruption and irregularities in the judiciary,' NBA president, Shambhu Thapa, told this daily after the meeting.

Council officials, Pushpa Raj Koirala and Kashi Raj Dahal attended while the NBA was represented by Thapa, vice president Sher Bahdur KC, secretary Madhav Banskota and others.

'The Council officials requested us to complain against those involved in corruption,' Thapa said, adding that the Council, on the recommendations of the Judicial Investigation and Probe Commission (JIPC), had already initiated action against judges who had collected property beyond their legitimate means of income.

Thapa said, 'They have not specified who those judges are but the results will soon be evident.' The JIPC has recommended action against more than 25 sitting and retired judges it deems guilty of corruption. While assuming office, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and chairperson of the Judicial Council, Govinda Bahadur Shrestha had promised to take action against corrupt judges.

Council officials Koirala and Dahal also requested NBA representatives to recommend appropriate candidates for appoinment as judges to the different vacant posts in the Supreme Court and Appellate Court.