Bar Association President Mishra Opposes Plan to Abolish Supreme Court Roll Call System

May 24, Kathmandu – Professor Dr. Vijay Prasad Mishra, President of the Nepal Bar Association, has expressed dissatisfaction with the preparations to abolish the roll call system implemented in the Supreme Court. He warned that ending the existing practice of scheduling hearings through the roll call system, allowing the Chief Justice to assign cases independently, could subject the judiciary to political influence.

Speaking at an interaction program in Kathmandu, he said, “There is currently a plan to remove the roll call system in the Supreme Court. If this is done, it raises serious concerns about how hearings will be assigned. It might lead to a situation where becoming Chief Justice no longer requires dedication and austerity.” He also warned that if this system is abolished, a strong protest movement would follow.

Raising questions about the process of appointing the Chief Justice, Mishra alleged that the practice of appointing individuals according to the Prime Minister’s preference through the Constitutional Council has begun. He also criticized the government’s deployment of thousands of people labeling critics as “bags,” reflecting a politically charged environment.

Highlighting the severe condition of the judiciary, President Mishra emphasized that legal professionals must not lose their sense of judgment. He stated: “There has been an increasing tendency in the Constitutional Council to appoint whoever the Prime Minister prefers. The trend of appointing the Prime Minister’s favored personality as Chief Justice has emerged. We must decide whether to accept or remove this. Thousands are being deployed to label government critics as ‘bags.’ Despite this, we should not lose our discretion. Our senior lawyers must uphold this responsibility at this critical moment.”