Nepal’s legal community has raised serious concerns after the government introduced a new gate pass rule at Singha Durbar, with the Nepal Bar Association urging Prime Minister Balen Shah to immediately restore ID-based access.
In a formal appeal on Wednesday, the association’s General Secretary, senior advocate Kedar Prasad Koirala, requested immediate facilitation to allow lawyers to enter the government complex without additional administrative hurdles. The association emphasized that, as in the past, legal practitioners should be permitted entry using their professional identification cards.
The request comes after the government implemented a new rule on Sunday requiring lawyers to obtain gate passes before entering Singha Durbar. Previously, legal professionals were allowed direct access upon presenting their bar-issued ID cards. The sudden shift has led to concerns among lawyers, particularly those who regularly attend administrative courts and official proceedings within the complex.
Concerns Over Disruption in Legal Work
According to the association, the new system has already caused disruptions. Lawyers have reportedly faced difficulties accessing key institutions, including administrative courts located inside Singha Durbar. The association noted that it had repeatedly raised the issue with concerned authorities through verbal communications, but no concrete response has been received so far.
In addition to reaching out to the Prime Minister, the Nepal Bar Association has also drawn the attention of the Minister for Law, senior government officials, and members of parliament. It argues that restricting entry procedures for legal professionals could hinder timely legal processes and affect the delivery of justice.
The Nepal Bar Association Singha Durbar access issue highlights growing tensions between administrative regulation and professional ease of movement. Legal experts warn that prolonged restrictions may disrupt court-related work and delay case proceedings.
The association has called for an immediate review of the current policy and urged the government to reinstate the previous system to ensure smooth functioning of legal services within Singha Durbar.
