Kathmandu — A formal complaint has been filed with the Parliamentary Hearing Committee against senior advocate Meghraj Pokhrel, recently recommended by the Judicial Council for appointment as a justice of the Supreme Court. The complaint, submitted by TB Karki, alleges that Pokhrel is unqualified for the judicial position. This complaint is listed as the 21st item on the committee’s official record.
Judicial Council’s Recommendation and Parliamentary Hearing Process
The Judicial Council proposed Pokhrel for the Supreme Court during its meeting on June 10. Following this recommendation, the Parliamentary Hearing Committee began the vetting process on June 14 for Pokhrel along with other nominees, including Shreekanta Paudel, Chief Judge of the High Court Janakpur; Shantisingh Thapa, Chief Judge of the High Court Dipayal; and Mahesh Kumar Nepal, a proposed member of the Judicial Council.
Grounds for Complaint and Public Notice
The complaint refers to public comments made by Pokhrel concerning a legal case involving Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane. In that case, the Butwal bench of the High Court Dang, based in Tulsipur, ordered Lamichhane to be sent to judicial custody related to a cooperative fraud case.
According to the complaint, Pokhrel’s public remarks on the court’s order showed disregard for the judiciary and undermined the integrity of the judicial process. Earlier, the committee issued a public notice inviting any complaints or objections against the proposed candidates within ten days. Karki’s complaint against Pokhrel was filed within this deadline.
