PHSC endorses Kalyan Shrestha for next CJ

KATHMANDU: The Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee (PHSC) on Monday endorsed nomination of Kalyan Shrestha as the new Chief Justice at the Supreme Court.

A meeting of the Committee held today had discussed with Shrestha complaints filed at the panel against him.

Responding to lawmakers' queries, Shrestha said at the meeting that he will work for reforming image of the judiciary if appointed to the post. He, however, maintained that haphazard comments against judiciary are not welcome.

The PHSC had received only four complaints against Shrestha.

After endorsement from the Parliamentary hearing, the President will appoint him to the top post of the nation's judiciary.

Incumbent Chief Justice Ram Kumar Prasad Shah is retiring on July 8.

The Constitutional Council had recommended him for the post on June 9.

orn on 14 April 1951 in Baglung, Shrestha is known as a fearless judge due to his daring verdicts that sent shivers down the spines of some powerful state organs and political parties.

He began his career as a section officer of the Supreme Court in 1974 and will hold the top position of the apex court for nine months before he turns 65.

Justice Shrestha is better known for his verdicts on transitional justice, corruption and socio-economic and cultural rights, though his verdicts on all the issues are equally important. His bench on June 1, 2007, had ordered the government to criminalise the disappearance of people. His verdict also focused on reparation to the victims of disappearance instead of only giving them compensation.