Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla Warns Against Violence Undermining Legal Traditions

Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla emphasized that acts driven by self-interest through violence against legal and statutory traditions reflect signs of authoritarianism. She cautioned that attempts to bring about change by dismantling established structures may hurt the interests of those in power but will ultimately disappoint those who believe in the rule of law. The statement was made on 26 Baishakh in Kathmandu.

Speaking at an event on Saturday commemorating Law Day, she noted that tampering with the law under the guise of justification is a form of arbitrariness that makes it impossible to maintain faith in the rule of law. “Efforts to establish dominance over one’s environment under the pretext of seeking change by breaking down existing structures may challenge those in power, but it will certainly shatter the aspirations of those who expect adherence to law and legal procedures,” she said.

Highlighting that selfish acts that destroy legal and statutory traditions illuminate the reality of authoritarianism, she stressed that it is everyone’s duty to demonstrate courage, capacity, and commitment against such actions. According to her, those who believe in the rule of law must unite to resist such conspiracies.