National
Bar groups urge CJ to apply order
The Nepal Bar Association has drawn the Supreme Court’s attention to implement its earlier verdict that allows review petitions by people convicted by lower courts after posting a bail.The Nepal Bar Association has drawn the Supreme Court’s attention to implement its earlier verdict that allows review petitions by people convicted by lower courts after posting a bail.
Representatives from the NBA, the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Nepal Bar Association Kathmandu chapter met with Chief Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli on Sunday, calling for implementation of the order. Earlier, people convicted and jailed by lower courts could file a review petition in the SC from behind the bars.
A seven-judge bench of the SC issued a verdict a few months ago that convicts can file review petition without going to jail. The order was for convicted people to be released on bail until the SC issues its final verdict.
According to NBA officials, the SC administration is refusing to implement the verdict. The apex court had stated that except for a verdict passed by a full court, other cases could be reviewed in the SC by releasing people charged with crimes on bail.
On the SC administration’s quashing several review petitions in recent days, NBA Chairman Sher Bahadur KC: “We are of the view that people cannot file a case from jail.” Representatives of lawyers’ organisations have demanded implementation of the verdict. There are hundreds of cases pending in the SC.
The meeting comes at a time when the chief justice is facing several charges including of fake certificates and possessing two citizenship certificates with separate dates of birth. A few days back, Advocate Surendra Bhandari registered a complaint at the District Administration Office that Parajuli had threatened him.