Kathmandu, April 30: Min Bahadur Rayamajhi has been
chosen as the new Chief Justice of Nepal by the powerful
Constitution Council to replace incumbent Kedar Prasad Giri,
who is retiring on May 3.
The seven-member Council headed by Prime Minister
Prachanda named Justice Rayamajhee for the top judicial post
during a brief meeting held at the Premier's residence at
Baluwatar.
However, his name has to be endorsed by the Parliamentary
Hearing Committee for confirmation.
Keeping up with the tradition of choosing the senior most
Supreme Court justice for the top judicial post, the Council
selected Rayamajhi as the new Chief Justice, according to
official sources.
Rayamajhee was among six judges of the apex court who
were eligible for the coveted post.
His selection has put to rest speculation that the ruling
Maoists, who have two votes in the Constitution Council, may
insist on choosing their favourite for the top judicial post,
media reports said.
Besides Prachanda, Minister for Law and Justice Dev
Gurung is the only Maoist member in the Council
"The decision to name Rayamajhee as the new Chief Justice
was unanimous," said one of the members of the Constitution
Council.
Born on December 12, 1944 in Bhojpur area of eastern
Nepal, Rayamajhee is known for taking bold decisions.
At the height of former King Gyanendra's direct rule,
Rayamajhee had ordered the Supreme Court administration to
register a writ petition against the Royal Commission for
Corruption Control (RCCC) formed by the monarch. Some other
judges had deferred hearings on the case for as many as 19
times.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, April 30, 2009, 00:00