KATHMANDU: Nepal Bar Association has demanded that the Judicial Council take necessary decision on 27 additional judges of appellate courts whose terms will end on Tuesday.

Issuing a press statement, the lawyers’ umbrella body has said failure on the part of the JC to retain the 27 judges will have a long-term impact on the country's judiciary.

NBA said it would also be injustice to the concerned judges as they have to leave the service without their work being evaluated by the JC. The judges were appointed on June 10, 2013 and their terms were extended for a year on June 8 last year.

NBA said the JC should immediately call its meeting to avoid a situation that could result in the paucity of judges and have an adverse impact on the freedom of working judges. The lawyers’ body has also urged the JC not to repeat its past practices.

Sunil Kumar Pokharel, General Secretary of NBA, said that in the past, temporary justices of the Supreme Court had to retire because the JC did not call its meeting.

Sitaula takes oath

KATHMANDU: Senior Advocate Ram Prasad Sitaula, the newly appointed  member of the Judicial Council, on Monday took the oath of office and secrecy.

President Ram Baran Yadav early on Wednesday appointed Sitaula as the JC member at the recommendation of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Council, Ram Kumar Prasad Shah, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sitaula amidst a function on Wednesday evening.

Sitaula, a resident of Garamani-2, Jhapa, has worked in the law profession for around 35 years. Sitaula has succeeded Khem Narayan Dhungana whose term as JC member ended on June 1. Sitaula has been appointed for a four-year term.

Man found dead

KATHMANDU: A man was found hanging at the gate of Ratnapark on Monday. The identify of the deceased, who appears to be in his early 30s, is yet to be ascertained. Investigation is on, said police.