Supreme Court Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel said that the reaction to the verdict in a case of public concern can affect the psychology of judges and legal practitioners.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Supreme Court Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel has urged judges and lawyers to stay away from social media on the day they are pleading or deciding on cases of public interest.
Speaking at an interaction program on ‘Mental Health and Stress Management’ organized in Kathmandu, he made this request. He said that the reaction to the verdict of a case of public concern can affect the psychology of judges and legal professionals. He said that the praise and criticism that come on social media after the verdict or debate of a case should be kept away from social media as it can develop exaggerated confidence or negative thinking in a person.
He said, ‘Do not look at social media in the evening of the day when a case of public interest is being debated or we judges decide. If a verdict is made or a good case is debated and the result is good, then praise is given. Oh, I am terrible or if it is bad, I am a monster.’ Therefore, if you do not look at the online media and social media of that day in the evening, the commentary on that matter will have changed by tomorrow morning. Therefore, on the day you advocate or decide a case of public concern, do not watch anything.'
Judge Pokharel opined that it would be appropriate for those involved in sensitive cases to avoid online and social media on that day, as public opinion changes over time rather than immediate reactions.
