KATHMANDU: Chief Justice Min Bahadur Rayamajhi on Sunday called upon lawyers to start fight against corruption from their own chambers.

“I just request you to do two things — fight corruption and delay in justice delivery — from your own chambers,” he said, adding, “I intend to carry out reforms in the judiciary. But you should help me on these two issues.”

The Chief Justice indirectly accused the lawyers of promoting corruption and irregularities in the judiciary. “Reform works can’t materialise without the cooperation of lawyers,” he said, addressing a programme organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association to welcome him.

The CJ also said he wanted to set up a mechanism to deliver justice on time and address corruption in the judiciary. He also called upon the legal practitioners to inform their clients to respect the court and court verdicts.

“Both plaintiffs and defendants take your service. And you are the ones who make strategy to defend them,” he added.

Rayamajhi also said the judiciary in the country would be on par with the international standards if lawyers are ready to deliver justice on time and fight corruption.

“I want to reform the judiciary. The judiciary seeks the support of Nepal Bar Association. Without the NBA’s support, we cannot bring about reforms in judiciary,” he said.

NBA president Bishwo Kanta Mainali requested the Chief Justice to make the court verdicts transparent in order to make judiciary fair. “The transparency will help justify the intention of the judges,” he added.

Raman Kumar Shrestha, general secretary, NBA, also called the Chief Justice to carry out reforms in judiciary by accepting democratic norms.

“Former Chief Justice Kedar Prasad Giri had said the judiciary is in mafia’s control. I request the Chief Justice to take action against those who have been controlling the judiciary,” he added.

Former general secretary of the Nepal Bar Association Hari Krishna Karki said the judiciary should be brave enough to review the wrong decision of the executive and the legislature.

SCBA president Indra Kharel appreciated the CJ’s decision to bring about reforms in the judiciary. “We will evaluate the CJ’s performance on the basis of his work,” he added.