KATHMANDU: The Nepal Bar Association has announced a symbolic lantern protest over recent tensions at the Supreme Court.

Following a central executive committee meeting on Monday, the Bar said it would light lanterns at its office premises at 1 pm on Tuesday, protesting the situation where even writ petitions could not be registered in court.

Bar President Dr. Bijay Prasad Mishra said the inability to register cases had raised serious concerns over citizens’ access to justice.

The protest comes after Supreme Court staff reportedly refused to implement an order by Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla to register petitions filed against Constitutional Council’s recommendation of Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma as the next Chief Justice.