Preparation to appoint a new Chief Justice has begun, 37 days before the official retirement of incumbent Chief Justice Om Prakash Mishra.

Judicial Council (JC) has already sent the roaster of Justices qualified for the post of Chief Justice to the secretariat of Constitutional Council.

The JC has recommended senior-most Justice Deepak Raj Joshee and Cholendra Shamsher JBR for the post of Chief Justice.

The names of other Justices were not recommended in the list as they are yet to meet the criteria of being a sitting justice for three years at the apex court.

The name of proposed Chief Justice would be endorsed by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee (PHC) before the retirement of Mishra, if the appointment process begins a month earlier.

Hence, the possibility of Joshee, who was rejected by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee (PHC) for the top judiciary position, would have less chance of leading the Supreme Court after the Acting Chief Justice.

“Deepak Raj Joshee is highly unlikely to lead the apex court as the Acting Chief Justice after Mishra’s retirement if the recommendation is done in this manner,” a source at the Secretariat of Constitutional Council said. “This is why, the preparation to appoint a new Chief Justice has begun a month before the retirement of incumbent Chief Justice,” the source added.

The Constitutional Council will recommend the names for Chief Justice send from the roaster of Judicial Council Secretariat.