Justice Under Siege

It is hardly surprising that the rule of law is undermined when force becomes the decisive factor in the conduct of state affairs. Yet, so long as the judiciary remains competent and independent, there is a widely held belief that the courts safeguard the rights of the weak and give voice to the voiceless. But when judges themselves come under threat, that protective shield collapses, leaving the most vulnerable without any recourse. If recent reports are accurate, Nepal may be edging dangerously close to such a moment. During the events of September 8 and 9, the Supreme Court and several other courts were set ablaze, with storerooms containing case files of specific individuals allegedly singled out by vandals. Now, just as court benches are slowly resuming, a disturbing rise in threats against judges has emerged as a grave concern for all who uphold the rule of law. In a recent interaction with journalists, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut acknowledged that judges are increasingly being targeted to influence verdicts, striking at the very heart of judicial independence. Reports that political cadres linked to certain parties, along with criminals who escaped from prisons during the Gen Z protests, are issuing threats to judges and their families make the situation even more alarming. This is an exceptionally serious matter and it demands an urgent and resolute response from the government.