Shah also clarified that the suggestion for opening government appointments to former justices was genuine. “We are not arguing for political appointments. Rather, the point is that justices retire at 65 and still have a lot of energy. Furthermore, the pension alone may not be enough for living. Therefore, they should be considered for government positions,” Shah said on Monday during the 58th anniversary of Nepal Bar Association.

Shah’s remarks come at a time when the umbrella organisation of lawyers had objected to the declaration of the national conference of judges last month to seek an increase in the age bar and also allow them to be members of constitutional bodies. Currently, former apex court justices are only allowed to be the head of the National Human Rights Commission.

NBA General Secretary Sunil Pokharel urged the CJ not to negate lawyers. In another programme, NBA Vice-president Tika Ram Bhattarai had charged the Bar members of being more interested in becoming judges, which in turn has hampered the organisation.