KATHMANDU: In an effort to stop Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha from appointing justices on his own before he retires on October 6, the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has launched a protest. According to the NBA, these acts put the judiciary's integrity in jeopardy.

On Wednesday, the NBA held a protest assembly at its office, where members expressed strong objections to Shrestha’s purported plans to appoint justices under the revised Judicial Council Regulation, which the Bar considers unconstitutional. This regulation has become a focal point of the protests.

NBA President Gopal Krishna Ghimire emphasized that any such appointments made under the revised rules would violate constitutional principles and disrupt the established ranking system of justices. He voiced concerns about the implications of these actions for the judiciary’s dignity.

Ghimire said, "We cannot stay silent as the Chief Justice, who is close to retiring, tries to settle personal scores by appointing justices in accordance with an unconstitutional amendment," during the demonstration. Such behavior won't be accepted. This opinion demonstrates the NBA's dedication to preserving the integrity of the legal system.

The association has repeatedly urged Chief Justice Shrestha to reevaluate the proposed appointments as the legal community becomes more and more concerned that they could harm the judiciary's credibility. 

The NBA is against the new laws and has demanded that they be immediately rescinded, arguing that they were enacted outside the confines of the law. This is a symptom of a larger problem with the administration of justice.

In order to solve the system's problems with corruption, distortions, and contradictions, the NBA's case also demands for a complete overhaul of the legal system. The desire to alter Nepal's legal system structurally in a more substantial way is reflected in this plea for reform.

Concerns over judge appointments and processes have prompted the legal community to urge transparency and fairness. The demonstrations offer a focus point for people who are in favor of preserving the independence of the nation's judiciary.

The NBA's actions demonstrate its dedication to upholding Nepal's legal system and making sure that judicial nominations are carried out in line with the nation's constitution. The scenario is still unclear as Chief Justice Shrestha's retirement deadline draws near.