Delay in justice delivery

Jan 18: Absence of judges at the existing highest court of the country has badly affected justice delivery almost for last one month.

The High Court, the existing apex court of the country currently has only one sitting judge while regulation needs at least two judges to for hearing cases and giving verdict.

With Jigme Zangpo and Sithar Namgyal retiring from service in late December, only Tshering Wangchuk is left with entire responsibility of the judiciary. However, he is more involved in activities of the royal commission entrusted to nominate justices of the Supreme Court.

The absence of judges, the court continues to receive piles of cases from lower courts. There is no indication of fulfillment in the neat future.

In the mean time, the royal commission headed by newly appointed Chief Justice Sonam Tobgye is leant to have finalized the short list of proposed justices for Supreme Court.

The list will be forwarded king for appointing justices. With the establishment of the Supreme Court, the judiciary will be independent. Till today, king has been maintained as the highest court of appeal.