Kathmandu, May 7 -- The Constitutional Council has recommended Supreme Court Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma for appointment as Nepal's next chief justice.

A meeting of the council on Thursday recommended Sharma as the country's 33rd chief justice.

Sharma's recommendation marks the first time in Nepal's judicial history that a justice fourth in the seniority roll has been proposed for the country's top judicial position.

If endorsed through the parliamentary hearing process, Sharma will serve a full six-year term.

Following the recommendation, the Parliamentary Hearing Committee will conduct a hearing on the proposed appointment. If endorsed by the committee, President Ramchandra Paudel will formally appoint Sharma as chief justice.

The p...