Kathmandu, January 2:

The Judicial Council headed by Chief Justice Kedar Prasad Giri will soon be holding its meeting in order to fill up the vacant judges’ posts in the three-tier judiciary.

“Having the deadlock been resolved, the meeting is expected to be held soon,” JC secretary Prakash Kumar Dhungana said. The Chief Justice will call a meeting to discuss matters regarding the appointment.

In a meeting last week, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had told JC member Moti Kaji Sthapit to carry on with his responsibility. PM Dahal reportedly appreciated Sthapit’s stand not to resign while the PM had inquired whether the JC member appointed on his recommendation would be accountable.

Sthapit, however, had replied that he was not obliged to be loyal to the PM since the JC is an independent institution. Due to differences of opinion between law minister and the JC member, the council meeting had been stalled for two-and-a-half-months.