KATHMANDU: The Judicial Council has forwarded the names of six eligible Supreme Court justices to the Constitutional Council for consideration as the country’s next Chief Justice. The move follows the impending retirement of Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 on April 01.

The council has recommended senior Supreme Court justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, along with Kumar Regmi, Hari Prasad Phuyal, Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Dr Nahakul Subedi, and Til Prasad Shrestha. Under Article 129 of the Constitution, the appointment and qualifications of the Chief Justice and other Supreme Court justices are regulated, with the Chief Justice appointed by the President based on recommendations from both the Judicial and Constitutional Councils.

Article 129 also specifies that any Supreme Court justice with a minimum of three years of service is eligible for appointment as Chief Justice. Once the Judicial Council submits its roster, the Constitutional Council, led by the Prime Minister, will convene to recommend a candidate. The name is then forwarded to the Federal Parliament for a parliamentary hearing, which includes public notices for objections. Only after parliamentary approval can the President officially appoint the new Chief Justice.