Hearing Begins for Chief Justice Nominee Manoj Kumar Sharma

Parliamentary hearings have formally begun for Supreme Court Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, who has been recommended for appointment as Nepal’s next Chief Justice. The Parliamentary Hearing Committee on Tuesday initiated the review process by circulating complaints filed against him, along with his proposed work plan and judicial vision, among committee members.

The hearing comes at a sensitive moment for Nepal’s judiciary, which continues to face questions over institutional credibility, delays in justice delivery and public trust in the court system. Sharma’s nomination is therefore being viewed not only as a constitutional procedure, but also as a test of how the judiciary intends to respond to growing expectations for reform.

Committee chair Bodh Narayan Shrestha said a total of 16 complaints have been registered against Sharma. Of them, 11 were submitted through email while five were filed as written petitions. The committee is expected to hold discussions with complainants before conducting a direct parliamentary hearing with the proposed Chief Justice himself.

Sharma was recommended for the post by the Constitutional Council during its meeting held on Baisakh 24. Despite being the fourth senior-most justice in the Supreme Court hierarchy, the council chose him for the country’s highest judicial office, a decision that has drawn attention within legal and political circles alike.

Judicial leadership under public scrutiny

The committee invited complaints against Sharma on Baisakh 26. The parliamentary hearing process is constitutionally mandatory before the formal appointment of a Chief Justice in Nepal. Only after approval from the hearing committee can the President officially appoint the nominee.

The process is intended to strengthen public accountability within the judiciary. During hearings, lawmakers are empowered to question the nominee’s past conduct, judicial performance, decision-making ability and broader institutional outlook. In practice, the hearings often become an important political and constitutional moment, especially when concerns exist over judicial independence or governance within the courts.

Sharma now faces the challenge of convincing both lawmakers and the public that he can restore confidence in a judicial system frequently criticised for slow proceedings, inconsistent accountability and declining public faith.

Pressure for reform inside the courts

For years, Nepal’s judiciary has remained under pressure over issues ranging from case backlogs to allegations of political influence and weak institutional discipline. Successive Chief Justices have faced demands to modernise court administration, improve transparency and make justice delivery more accessible.

Against that backdrop, Sharma’s proposed leadership is being closely watched. Legal observers see the hearing not merely as an evaluation of one individual, but as a reflection of the judiciary’s broader direction at a time when democratic institutions are under increasing public scrutiny.

The committee is expected to complete the hearing process after consultations with complainants and lawmakers in the coming days.