Kathmandu: Former Chief Justice of Nepal Bishwonath Upadhyaya, who led a team that drafted the country’s constitution in 1990 following the people’s movement, has died. He was 84.
Upadhyaya passed away late last night at National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences in Bansbari here. He was undergoing treatment at the institute following a brain haemorrhage.
Upadhyay, who headed the constitution drafting committee of 1990, took charge as the Chief Justice during a crucial political transition in Nepal’s political history. He came to the limelight after the apex court bench led by him reinstated the parliament dissolved by then communist Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikari in August 28, 1995. Upadhyay is also credited for his role in evolving Nepal’s judiciary as a separate institution. He assumed the role of Chief Justice from December 1991 to September 1995. His last rites were performed today according to Hindu tradition. (PTI)