Chief Justice Highlights Lottery System as Milestone for Transparent Judiciary

Kathmandu, Dec 6: Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut emphasized the significance of the lottery system in assigning cases, describing it as a vital step toward ensuring transparency and trust in Nepal’s judiciary. Speaking at a news conference at the Supreme Court, CJ Raut detailed the system’s role in enhancing judicial integrity and operational efficiency.

“With the introduction of the lottery system for cause lists, our commitment to a transparent and credible judiciary has been fulfilled,” CJ Raut stated. He noted that the system ensures impartial allocation of cases, reducing the likelihood of bias.

The Supreme Court implemented the lottery system on December 1, 2021, followed by High Courts and District Courts on January 16, 2022. At the Supreme Court, the lottery system operates daily at 10:10 am, randomly assigning cases to justices.

Highlighting the current workload, CJ Raut shared that 26,051 cases are pending at the Supreme Court, including 154 cases unresolved for over eight years. He reaffirmed the court’s commitment to reducing the backlog of eight-year-old cases to zero by 2082 BS through a dedicated campaign.

Nepal’s Constitution allows for 21 justices, including the Chief Justice, but the Supreme Court currently operates with 17 justices. CJ Raut acknowledged the challenges posed by this shortage but reiterated the judiciary’s dedication to maintaining efficiency.

“The bench encounters new issues every day, while also addressing older and settled cases. This dynamic reflects the judiciary’s adaptability and commitment to justice,” he remarked.

The adoption of the lottery system aligns with broader judicial reforms aimed at fostering public confidence and ensuring fairness in Nepal’s legal processes.