Kathmandu, Oct. 6 -- The Judicial Council, led by Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma, has recommended four judges to fill vacant positions at the Supreme Court, sparking severe criticism from within the council and legal fraternity over the bypass of seniority and incomplete nominations.

The council on Tuesday recommended one chief judge and three judges of high courts for appointment to the apex court. The decision came at the end of a four-hour meeting that began at 1:00 pm, and it came over the objection of two of its own members, who registered notes of dissent.

The criticism began inside the room. Senior Justice and council member Sapana Pradhan Malla and member Mahesh Nepal each put their objections in writing.

A council member sai...