Kathmandu, Nepal, November 1, 2021: Responding to the widespread criticism for boycotting the hearing, the protesting 19 Supreme Court (SC) justices have returned to work from Monday. They have resumed only the hearings of habeas corpus writs.
The SC Justices had been boycotting the benches since last week demanding resignation of the chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana alleging him of defaming the judiciary and involving in irregular activities including seeking of share in the executive.
As Chief Justice Rana agreed to allocate benches for justices only for habeas corpus and not allocate any case for himself, the protesting justice decided to resume the hearing, an official at the SC said preferring anonymity.
However, it is unclear that whether Chief Justice Rana will resign from his post or not as per the demands made by the protesting justices. Earlier, Chief Justice Rana had made public his clear stand that he would not resign from the post.
It is said that the meeting held between three representatives of the protesting justices and chief justice Rana had made an understanding on Sunday to resume the hearing giving continuity to the dialogue to settle the differences seen in the SC.
However, protesting justices have a claim that they decided to return into work after Chief Justice Rana had hinted for graceful exit. It is said that Chief Justice Rana has forwarded a demanded that the justices should withdraw all their accusations against him to facilitate his graceful exit.
Though Chief Justice Rana had talked about his graceful exit, he is adamant on his stand to remain in office for at least another six months even if the justices withdraw all their accusations labeled against him, claims a source at the SC.
As per the understanding made for Monday, Chief Justice Rana allocated one writ petition each to six benches and he himself refrained from hearing cases. Likewise, understanding is made to allocate a list of cases to be heard by a bench on a particular day by drawing lots until developing an automated system.
