Speed work, CJ tells judges

Bhadrapur, Jan. 19 (RSS): Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya has said that no judge can escape the long arm of the Judicial Council if complaints, backed up by adequate factual evidence, are filed against him/her about any mistakes committed in course of official duty.

The Chief Justice was addressing a four-day training of judges of the eastern region which began at Kalbalgudi of Jhapa district today under the aegis of the Judicial Council Secretariat.

Although several efforts have been initiated for making the administration of justice more reliable, impartial and speedy, it is still sluggish and is being criticized, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said, pointing out the need for all concerned sides to fulfill their responsibilities in order to overcome such problems.

Chief Justice Upadhyaya said that the judiciary, which is otherwise considered the bedrock of democracy, was being treated as a weakling in Nepal and called on the government to give special attention to the development of the financial and physical infrastructure of the judiciary and also to strengthen the role and capability of other related agencies.

"I believe more in deeds than in words", the Chief Justice said in his inaugural address, stressing that he had always been committed to dispensing impartial, reliable and speedy justice during the 39 years of his career as a judge.

Chief Justice Upadhyaya said whether or not the formation of the special court would impact on the present structure of the judiciary and whether or not it was according to the constitution and the rules of the land would be determined by the Supreme Court bench.

He underlined the need for imparting such kinds of training to the judges in view of the special role of the courts in issues pertaining to environment conservation and gender equality.

On the occasion, chairman of Jhapa District Development Committee (DDC) Arjun Rai said that the workings of the judiciary have a direct bearing on the strengthening of democracy, but the general public was not benefiting substantially from the present style of working of the courts and dispensation of justice.

Chief judge of the Appellate Court Ilam Rajendra Kumar Bhandari, chief judge of the District Court Dhankuta Mrs. Sarada Shrestha and chief judge of the district court Rajbiraj Sarada Prasad Pandit underscored the need for providing training to judges on new subjects and issues such as laws pertaining to environment, bio-diversity, trade, contract and communications.

Nepal Bar Association Jhapa district chapter president Kul Bahadur Bista expressed the view that the formation of the special court could affect the present structure of the judiciary and court precedents.

From the chair, Supreme Court judge Kedarnath Upadhyaya pointed out the need for giving special attention to strengthening the physical infrastructure of the district courts and enhancing the capability of the judges of the district courts which are the base of the judiciary.

Spokesman at the Supreme Court and the Judicial Council Kashiraj Dahal said that the courts in Nepal were hit by lack of adequate physical infrastructures, complexity of working procedures and lack of development of working capability.

Secretary of the Judicial Council Shyam Krishna Kasaju delivered the opening remarks while judge at Jhapa district court Janardan Bahadur Khadka delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the participating judges.

Taking part in the training are 28 district court judges from the Eastern Development Region.

Supreme Court judges Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, Kedarnath Upadhyaya and Gopal Khatri as well as the chief justice will conduct the training.

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