Speaking at a PHSC meeting, lawmakers from the UCPN (Maoist) and the CPN-UML criticised the JC for ignoring the call from the parliamentary committee. “This is an insult to Parliament,” said UML lawmaker Bhim Rawal. Another UML Constituent Assembly member Yubraj Gyawali questioned the intention of the JC wondering what prevented them from appearing before the committee that endorsed the chief justice, the head of the constitutional body.

Maoist lawmaker Agni Sapkota termed the JC reply as “ill-intended”. “How can they [JC] state that lawmakers will fall to undue influence? Rather, the JC itself has made these appointments under an influence,” remarked Sapkota. The JC, in its reply, had asked the committee not to work under undue influence.

However, lawmakers from the ruling Nepali Congress reiterated their position that the JC members should not be invited to the committee. “We don't have any provision in that regard,” said NC Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha. Others maintained that if any one is to be summoned before the committee, it could be the law minister.

The JC, in the response to the two letters for the PHSC, on Thursday wrote to the committee that neither the constitution nor the Parliament rules of procedure require JC members to appear before it to explain its decisions. The judge-recommending body also made it clear that the parliamentary committee can either reject or endorse the nominees.

The Supreme Court on Friday issued an order preventing JC members from attending the PHSC meeting arguing that the constitution does not provision it. Another meeting of the committee is scheduled for Monday.