Kathmandu, April 1: Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla has assumed office as the Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from today, becoming the second woman in the country’s history to helm the country’s highest judiciary institution.
Malla follows Justice Sushila Karki, who was the first woman to serve as the Chief Justice of Nepal.
Justice Malla, the senior most Justice of the Supreme Court, stepped into the role after Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut retired on Tuesday due to age limit of 65 years.
In line Article 129 (6) of the Constitution, the senior-most Supreme Court Justice automatically assumes the position of Acting Chief Justice when the post falls vacant.
Her appointment comes at a time of institutional transition. Earlier March 10, the Judicial Council had recommended six Supreme Court Justices to the Constitutional Council as potential candidates for the position of Chief Justice.
The list included senior most Justice Malla alongside Justices Kumar Regmi, Hari Phuyal, Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Dr Nahakul Subedi and Til Prasad Shrestha.
According to the constitutional provisions, a candidate must have served at least three years as a Supreme Court Justice and be below the age of 65 to qualify for the appointment as Chief Justice.
Furthermore, the Constitutional Council is also required to recommend a new Chief Justice at least one month before the position becomes vacant.
However, the recommendation process has been delayed due to the dissolution of the House of Representatives on September 12, 2025. The Council has been unable to convene since then.
With key positions such as Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Leader of the Opposition remaining vacant, the Council has not been able to take forward the nomination process for the Chief Justice.
The President appoints the Chief Justice only after parliamentary endorsement following a hearing by the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee.
With the new parliamentary session set to begin on coming Thursday after a recent election and as the process of electing the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is still pending, it is expected that the formation of the hearing committee and consequently the appointment process of the Chief Justice may take several more weeks.
About Acting Chief Justice Sapana
Sapana Pradhan Malla was born on November 15, 1963 in Thapathali, Kathmandu to Govinda Bahadur Pradhan and Radha Pradhan.
She was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court on August 1, 2016.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Nepal Law Campus, Tribhuvan University, followed by a Master’s degree in Law from the Delhi University, India.
She later pursued a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Harvard University in the United States, bringing both national and international academic experience to her judicial role.
Acting Chief Justice Malla, who began her active legal career 37 years ago, also has two years of teaching experience at Nepal Law Campus. She was conferred the title of Senior Advocate about 13 years ago.
The Acting CJ has published more than a dozen research articles and other write-ups.
Her journal articles have been published both nationally and internationally, covering issues such as the protection of women’s rights, prevention of violence against women, social justice, investment in women and women’s property rights.
Her initiatives and verdicts at the Supreme Court have established precedents with long-term impact on gender justice, the control of gender-based and domestic violence and constitutional matters.
Before joining the Supreme Court, she worked extensively on law, justice and human rights issues through her involvement with various international organizations.
She served as a member of the first Constituent Assembly from 2008 to 2013 and has also been an expert member of the UN Committee against Torture (CAT).
In addition, Malla had served as the coordinator of the Women Judges’ Society and as the General Secretary of the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment.
As Chair of SAARC Law Nepal Study, Malla contributed to the formulation of plans and action programs under the government’s 10th periodic plan. She has also played a key role in legal reform efforts, contributing to major legislations such as the Human Trafficking and Smuggling (Control) Bill, National Commission Bill, Inheritance Rights Bill, Foreign Employment Bill, Law against Sexual Exploitation and the Gender Equality Bill.
During her tenure at the Supreme Court, she has led various committees, including the management and publication committee. If promoted to Chief Justice, she would retire on November 15, 2028.
