Ratna Bahadur Bista


Sir Ratna Bahadur Bista was born in Dadeldhura to an aristocratic family that was given land grants in Sudurpashchim Pradesh circa 1911 A.D during a hunting trip by King George V of England and Chandra Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana the Prime Minister of the Rana Dynasty. He went on to become the 5th Chief Justice of Nepal, in office from 26 July 1970 to 6 August 1976. He was appointed by the then-king of Nepal, Mahendra. He was responsible for the Summary Procedure Act 1971. The Committee that he established recommended for the establishment of High Courts in different regions which resulted in the creation of a four tiered judicial structure with one additional tier in the middle- "the Regional Courts."
He is the recipient of the Order of Tri Shakti Patta by King Birendra of Nepal in June 10, 1980
He had worked as a member of the National Election Commission formed by King Birendra on June 26, 1980. The Election Commission had held a referendum election in 2037 BS 1980 AD
Bista was preceded by Bhagwati Prashad Singh and succeeded by Nayan Bahadur Khatri.

Personal Life

He is a part of the Bista Family that originates in the far western region of Nepal. Many members and mostly his nephews have held public office in the government of Nepal. His nephew Puran Bahadur Bista also held public office as the 4th Nepalese Director General of Department of Customs. His nephew Dr. Mahendra Bahadur Bista held the position of director general of the government's Department of Health and the director of Nepal’s Epidemiological and Disease Control Division position implementing modern maternity care and disease control in rural parts of the country. His nephew Dipendra Bahadur Bista was the ambassador of Nepal to the United Kingdom from 2003-2007. Another nephew of the same namesake was Deputy Inspector General Dipendra Bahadur Bista who was the head of Mid Western Regional Police Office in Surkhet, Nepal. His great grandson Sohail bisht is an author and an actor having had roles as a child actor American TV Shows such as Of Kings and Prophets and has published political commentaries on the Patriot Act as well.His Nephew Lok Pratap Bista was also appointed by King Mahendra of Nepal as the Minister of Forestry and Agriculture.