KATHMANDU: The Nepal Bar Association issued a press release expressing shock over the Parliamentary Hearing Committee’s decision to reject Deepak Raj Joshee for the post of chief justice. The lawyers’ umbrella body stated that the parliamentary panel’s decision to reject Joshee was a blatant interference in the functioning of the judiciary.

“It is indicative of legislature and executive’s attempt to direct and control the judiciary, which is a symbol of people’s faith,” the NBA stated in its release.

The lawyers’ umbrella body added that the PHC’s decision could create a constitutional crisis and legal hurdles about which the Government of Nepal, political parties, civil society members and media should be sensitive.

The NBA stated that the decision was influenced by a certain political party with the objective of controlling the judiciary which not only challenged the Constitutional Council’s grounds to nominate the new chief justice, but also violated the principle of separation of powers and ridiculed the rule of law. “The situation that led to a division of the 15-member PHC along the party lines is regrettable,” he added.