Kathmandu, December 10:

Judges today stressed the need to amend the Judges’ Code of Conduct 1998 and its implementation to make the judiciary impartial and independent. “The Judges’ Code of Conduct of 1998 is not enough and as such the need of the hour is to review it,” Supreme Court Justice Min Bahadur Rayamajhi, who is also an ex-officio member of the Judicial Council (JC), said.

He added that the conduct requires a revision by the apex court and the Judicial Council to make it suitable with the changing times. “Being a member of the JC, I will put the issue in the full court meeting of the Supreme Court and the JC,” Rayamajhi said. He was addressing a programme on the Judges’ Code of Conduct organised here today.

Rayamajhi also called on the press and civil society to be aware of every action of the judges, “as people have right to know the truth.”

Rayamajhi also said that the conduct should be fully implemented and action iniotiated against those who violate it. “We have taken action against 23 judges for their bad conduct since the promulgation of the 1990 Constitution,” Rayamajhi said, adding, “Some of them have been sacked and some of them have resigned after the Judicial Council’s investigation found them guilty.”

“Such activities of the judges tarnish the image of the judiciary,” he said.