SC assigns bench to hear on writ petition against Foreign Minister Khadka’s oath

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has assigned the hearing on the writ petition seeking annulment of the oath of office of Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka to the single bench of Justice Hari Krishna Karki.

Justice Karki’s bench is scheduled to hear it on Wednesday.

Advocate Bishal Neupane had filed a writ petition in the court on Tuesday claiming that the swearing in of Minister Khadka was unconstitutional.

Article 80 of the Constitution of Nepal stipulates that the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers must take an oath of office and secrecy, in accordance with federal law, before assuming office before the President whereas the Ministers of State and Assistant Ministers can swear in to their office before the Prime Minister.

Khadka had taken the oath of office and secrecy on September 22.

Minister Khadka, who left for the United States to address the UN General Assembly soon after taking office, has already returned to Nepal today.