Law professionals allied to Progressive and Professional Lawyers’ Association Nepal (PPLA) on Saturday slammed top leaders of Nepal Bar Association (NBA) for helplessly watching while a section of the judiciary was embroiled in a spate of controversies recently.

At a separate gathering held on Saturday in Nepalgunj, lawyers close to PPLA said, the NBA leadership did not play an effective role during the multiple birth dates row involving former chief justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli.

They also pointed to NBA’s ineffectiveness during the impeachment motion registered against former chief justice Sushila Karki earlier.

Lawyers with PPLA links were in Nepalgunj to attend the 14th Central National Assembly of the NBA that attracted more than 3,000 law professionals from the country.

They also protested against the role of the NBA during the inauguration of the assembly.

Legal expert Yubaraj Sangaroula said all law practitioners should make collaborative efforts to maintain the importance of the judiciary.

“NBA office bearers did not take heed to the advice of the advisory committee even in the sensitive issues,” said Sangaroula.

The NBA leadership failed miserably in the dispute regarding Parajuli’s multiple dates of birth, he said.

Another constitution expert Tikaram Bhattarai said the recent activity of the NBA is shameless.

“The legal community feels ashamed due to the nature of the NBA,” said Bhattarai.

On Saturday, participants presented work papers related to human rights, transitional justice and peace process, code of conduct of civil cases and environment at the national convention.

The convention ends on Sunday after the gathering announces the Nepalgunj Declaration.