Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (File Photo)
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala will administer oath of office and secrecy to Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel on Thursday.

As per the newly promulgated interim constitution, the CJ will need to take fresh oath of office.

The interim constitution has sidelined the King totally from any affairs of the state and has designated Prime Minister as the interim head of state, as well.

Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel

Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel (File Photo)
The provision of PM administering oath of office to CJ had been criticised by some legal experts as it could demonstrate the domination of judiciary by executive. Even the full court meeting of the Supreme Court judges held recently had suggested that CJ be allowed to take oath of office in front of other judges.

However, government spokesperson and State Minister for Information and Communication Dilendra Prasad Badu claimed that the PM would be administering oath to the CJ not as the executive head but as the head of state.

After he takes fresh oath, CJ will then administer oath of office to all other Supreme Court judges.