Bar’s ultimatum ending today, will CJ Rana resign?

KATHMANDU: NOV. 19 – The ultimatum given by the Nepal Bar Association for the resignation of CJ Rana is coming to an end today (Friday). Bar has warned that if CJ Rana does not resign by 3 pm on Friday (today), the agitation will intensify. But CJ Rana is adamant that he will not resign.

He has been reaching out to the Supreme Court on a daily basis to settle all kinds of cases amid pressure from the Supreme Court’s fellow judges and the continuous sit-ins and demonstrations of legal practitioners. Despite CJ Rana’s call for talks to resolve the dispute, Bar has refused. Bar Chairman Chandeshwar Shrestha said that the statement issued by CJ Rana was brought to put dust in the eyes.

Bar has been protesting, saying the resignation of CJ Rana was the last option. On Thursday, there was a scuffle between the lawyers and the police at the Supreme Court premises. The situation became stressful after 12 lawyers including the chairman of the Bar Shrestha were injured. The Bar has become more aggressive, saying it used force on peaceful protests. Bar called an emergency meeting on Thursday afternoon and condemned the incident.

The situation is further complicated by the constant agitation of legal practitioners, the stand of the Chief Justice not to resign and the indifference of the political parties.

The government and political parties have been criticized in the Supreme Court for not making any effort to resolve the long-running dispute.