Kathmandu, Nov 2: The Supreme Court’s full court will meet today (November 2) to discuss media reports linking judges, including the chief justice, to alleged middlemen.
The meeting comes amid growing political pressure after the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) directed its parliamentary secretariat on Saturday to seek a parliamentary response to irregularities and controversies within the judiciary. The directive has raised fears of possible impeachment proceedings against judges.
A full court meeting called by Chief Justice Dr Manoj Sharma on Friday ended without a concrete decision. Two justices, Sapana Malla Pradhan and Abdul Aziz Musalman, were absent.
A Supreme Court justice said Monday’s meeting would discuss both impeachment and an internal investigation into alleged contacts with middlemen.
Some judges at Friday’s meeting had proposed forming a high-level internal committee to establish the facts, but no decision was taken.
The controversy intensified after reports emerged that several Supreme Court judges had met Sapkota, who is accused of acting as a middleman, at Kathmandu’s Himalayan Hotel in Kupandole and shared tea and snacks with him.
Four justices subsequently approached Justice Hari Phuyal in his chamber seeking clarification. According to a Supreme Court source, Phuyal said he had clarified his own position but had not spoken about others.
Meanwhile, the RSP is preparing to pursue parliamentary action over alleged judicial irregularities. The issue gained political traction after reports that Supreme Court judges had been in contact with Sapkota before police took him into custody for investigation into suspected money laundering and other questionable financial transactions.
Party chair Ravi Lamichhane has taken the initiative to institutionalise discussions on impeachment and judicial restructuring through the party secretariat. He also held a one to one meeting with Speaker DP Aryal on Thursday.
Lamichhane reportedly consulted Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, Law Minister Sobita Gautam and party lawmakers with legal backgrounds on the alleged links between judges and middlemen.
An RSP lawmaker said most party office bearers favoured immediate action. While some suggested an internal investigation by the Supreme Court or Judicial Council, most lawmakers reportedly supported impeachment.
However, views differ over its scope. Some argue that Chief Justice Sharma should be given the benefit of the doubt because he has not been directly linked to conversations with Sapkota. Others want action against everyone found responsible, while some favour wider judicial restructuring.
The RSP parliamentary secretariat is scheduled to hold further discussions on Monday.
The reports have triggered debate across Parliament, the judiciary, political parties, civil society and the Nepal Bar Association.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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