Judge suspended for promiscuity

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU; The Judicial Council today suspended Pokhara Appellate Court Judge Om Prasad Subedi charging him of sexual misconduct.

Barring him from his duties, the Judicial Council headed by Chief Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha today decided to set up an inquiry committee headed by Justice Top Bahadur Magar.

The JC suspended him on the basis of Justice Bala Ram KC’s report, which indicted him for rampant sexual misconduct. KC referred Subedi’s case to JC saying Subedi lacked the conduct becoming of a judge as he was involved in extra-marital affair with a woman lawyer and was involved in sex scandals wherever he was transferred.

He also faces the charge of sexual misconduct with a woman lawyer studying with him in Kathmandu School of Law. “His sexual misconduct is the major reason behind the suspension but he also faces other charges,” Jiwan Hari Adhikary, Secretary, JC said.

On October 10, Subedi criticised CA members of being incompetent and undeserving of the ‘honourable’ title. Speaking at a programme in Pokhara, Subedi had said the lawmakers had betrayed their commitment to peace and the constitution and were misusing taxpayers’ money.

The JC has given two months to the Justice Magar-led inquiry committee to probe issues related to Subedi. He, however, termed the JC decision ‘biased and framed’ . “This happened due to pressure from CA members who objected to my views,” he said.