Parliamentary Hearing Committee coordinator Laxman Lal Karna has said that all should respect the PHC’s decision to reject the nomination of acting chief justice Deepak Raj Joshi for the top judiciary post. 

Since the PHC was formed in accordance with the constitution, Karna said on Sunday, the decision is constitutional. “When we respect constitutional supremacy, recommendation of the Constitutional Council can’t be final. If that were the case, why would we need the hearing committee?” he asked. If there was any defect in the charter, those opposing the committee’s decision could press for constitutional amendments, he suggested.

If Joshee did not respect the PHC’s decision, there would be no compulsion to respect his verdicts, Karna argued. Meanwhile, Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Devendra Poudel said the PHC’s latest decision had established parliamentary supremacy.

No hearing sans federal law, says Pradhan

Nepali Congress lawmaker Bhimsen Das Pradhan has claimed that the PHC would not conduct further hearing without a federal law guiding the process.

A PHC member, Pradhan on Sunday said hearing from the next chief justice candidate would not be scheduled until a federal law was passed. Former defence minister Pradhan also argued that the PHC has no authority to reject the recommendation made by a powerful body involving the Speaker.

He said NC lawmakers would raise the issue in Parliament. (PR)