KATHMANDU: Newly appointed Chief Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha today said that he will work for institutionalization of corruption free judicial bodies. The CJ was administered oath of office and secrecy by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at the latter’s official residence at Shital Niwas in Kathmandu. Shrestha was appointed as CJ on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council.

Shrestha was appointed to the post as erstwhile CJ Anup Raj Sharma, who had assumed office on December 14 last year took official retirement on March 25.

Incumbent CJ Shrestha said that he will make effort to end impunity in the society and establish rule of law in the country. “The judicial bodies are facing challenges in performing as per the expectation of the people,” said the newly appointed Chief Justice.

Addressing, a press conference, Shrestha said it would be autocratic to keep the judiciary under parliamentary control. Press freedom cannot be guaranteed in such a situation, he reasoned. He added that a parliament-controlled judiciary will arrest the freedom and independence of the judiciary.

“I will try to eliminate all the malpractices prevalent in the judiciary and will implement the recommendation regarding these practices” assured Shrestha. He added that he would try his best to resolve the case of judicial council in time. He further assured of formulating a mechanism to take action against legal professionals in courts if any cases are filed against them.

He also maintained that a mechanism for implementing court decisions. Reconciliation centres will also be established, he added.

Shrestha was born in 1956. He was appointed as temporary justice of SC in 2002. Shrestha, a law graduate also holds a post graduate in public administration and political science.