Kathmandu, November 28:

Defending the February 1 move of King Gyanendra in the Supreme Court today, a government

lawyer, Balkrishna Neupane, challenged the Supreme Court to review Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Paudel’s appointment if it wants to review the existence of the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) which was set up under the same Article 127. “If the Supreme Court wants to examine the orders under Article 127, it should review the formation of the council of ministers after October 4, 2002, and the appointment of the present Chief Justice,” Neupane said.

He claimed Article 127 was activated to remove the difficulties to form the cabinet and the appointment of the Chief Justice at a time when constitutional provisions were floundering.

Neupane claimed that the King activated Article 127 to appoint the outgoing chief justice to chair the constitutional council at a time when the post of the Prime Minister was vacant, to chair the meeting that suggested the name of the Chief Justice.