Kathmandu: Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut emphasized the need for credibility and transparency to uphold the dignity of the judiciary during a program marking the 34th establishment day of the Judicial Council on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, CJ Raut highlighted the importance of working in a transparent and credible manner to foster public trust in the judiciary. He called for cooperation to strengthen the institution's integrity and pledged to make the Judicial Council more active and responsible in its functioning. "Positive competition in work execution will bring about meaningful change," he remarked.

Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya also addressed the gathering, underscoring the urgency of appointing justices to the Supreme Court amid a rising backlog of cases. "The delay in appointments, largely due to protests by the Nepal Bar Association, must be resolved. Justices should be appointed within 7 to 10 days through consensus and cooperation," the minister stated, advocating for a more dignified and efficient judicial process.

Senior Supreme Court Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla stressed that the Judicial Council plays a crucial role in appointing justices and ensuring their accountability. "The Council must operate in a more transparent and accountable manner," she said.

Other speakers, including Council member Ram Prasad Bhandari, Attorney General Ramesh Badal, and Nepal Bar Association President Gopalkrishna Ghimire, also shared their perspectives on strengthening the judiciary and promoting institutional reforms.