Kathmandu, Nov. 14 -- Nepal's temple of justice has been sullied like never before. The justices are up in arms against Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana. Lawyers are breathing fire demanding Rana's resignation. The man under scrutiny, the head of the country's judiciary, however appears to be unperturbed, largely because political parties that can constitutionally remove him from office have maintained silence.

Amid this, there are calls that the executive must speak up. Many say a key branch of the state cannot be a mute spectator when another is facing a serious crisis. Others say it is better for the executive to stay away from the crisis in the judiciary.

Amid this, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has ruled out any interventi...