KATHMANDU: Saying that a democratic system will collapse without judicial independence, Chief Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha today urged the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) to protect its independence.

“The whole system might collapse, therefore, its independence should be protected at any cost,” NBA general secretary Bijaya Prasad Mishra quoted the CJ as saying. “He was worried about the possible attacks on judicial independence,” Mishra added.

NBA representatives had called on the CJ at the latter’s chamber in the Supreme Court. NBA president Prem Bahadur Khadka, vice-president Surendra Mahato, general secretary Bijaya Prasad Mishra and treasurer Yuba Raj Kumar Bhandari and other members were in the team.

NBA leadership also expressed commitment that Bar will fight for protecting judicial independence.