King to lose power of appointing Judges

In gradual cut off of his power, the King is also losing his power to appoint Judges.

The Judicial Council led by Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel agreed on taking away from the King his power to appoint judges, a newspaper report said on Thursday.

“The Chief Justice and the Judicial Council members have agreed to have the judges appointed by the CJ after the JC’s recommendation. The recommendation would, however, not be forwarded to the King for approval,” The Himalayan Times Daily quoted Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Narendra Bikram Nemwang, as saying.

Though the House declaration curtailed the King’s legislative and executive powers, it was silent on the King’s authority over the judiciary. The Constitution of 1990 allows the King to appoint judges and pardon a criminal.

The latest decision came at a time when the Judicial Council is mulling to appoint Judges in various district courts. nepalnews.com pb July 06 06