In historic move, SC assigns case for hearing through lottery system

KATHMANDU, December 1: In a historic move, the Supreme Court (SC) has assigned the cases for hearings through a lottery system on Wednesday.

With this, the judicial deadlock, which the country has been facing for more than a month, is expected to come to its end. With the drawing of lots to schedule cases for hearings, the agitating justices have resumed the benches and hearings at the apex court.

A full court held earlier on Thursday decided to implement the lottery system to schedule cause-lists to be effective from December 1.

The meeting took the decision as per the amended version of the SC Regulations which was published in the Nepal Gazette on Monday. 

The new provision replaces the prerogative that the Chief Justice enjoys while assigning cases to the justices at the apex court. 

A report submitted by Justice Hari Krishna Karki had recommended introducing the lottery system. Another report by Justice Mira Khadka had also suggested the procedure to implement the system. 

A full court held on November 18 decided to amend the regulations in a bid to introduce the lottery system. 

As many as 11 benches have been formed through the system to conduct hearings on Wednesday which includes two single benches and nine joint benches.

Justices Mira Khadka and Dr Kumar Chudal will hear the cases in single bench today.