Arghakhanchi District Court judge Shree Krishna Bhattarai resigned from the position on Monday.

Submitting his resignation on Monday, Bhattarai said that he had reservations over the appointment of Hari Krishna Karki as the Chief Justice, despite questions being raised about the latter’s legal and ethical beliefs.

Bhattarai said that he decided to quit the position as it would be uncomfortable for him to work under someone he had prejudices against. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the procedure of appointing judges, Bhattarai alleged that people with political connections often got appointed to the judicial council.

Bhattarai objected to the fact that people with political connections took office to work in the best interest of their political beliefs, further alleging that the involvement of politicians in the process of appointing judges has discouraged officials who spent their entire career in the judicial service.

“The process of appointment of judges involves favouritism, with those in political power appointing their own people. This makes the future of other judges, like myself, extremely bleak,” Bhattarai said. “Appointing people with personal political agendas to the council has hampered the future of others.”

Despite filing a complaint at the Parliamentary Hearing Committee against Chief Justice Karki before his appointment to the position, the committee failed to exercise its discretion, Bhattarai added.

“The committee, that I entrusted to serve justice, itself was illegal. The appointment of the Chief Justice also remains illegal. I don’t feel it would be right for me to continue working under someone whose appointment I objected to,” Bhattarai said.

“I don’t see improvements taking place without sit-ins or protests.”

He further added that he would actively work to bring reforms and strengthen the judiciary in the future.