Three newly appointed Supreme Court justices took the oath of office and secrecy on Tuesday before Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut.

Justices Meghraj Pokharel, Shreekant Paudel and Shanti Singh Thapa were administered the oath during a swearing-in ceremony held at the Supreme Court. All three were assigned to their benches immediately after the ceremony through a lottery system.

Pokharel will share a joint bench with Justice Binod Sharma, Paudel with Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma, and Thapa with Justice Kumar Chudal.

The Judicial Council had recommended their names on June 10. President Ramchandra Paudel appointed them to the apex court on Monday evening following the endorsement by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee earlier that day.

The hearing committee discussed with the nominees and individuals who had lodged complaints against them before clearing the appointments. Two complaints each had been filed against Pokharel and Paudel, and one against Thapa.

According to Nirmala Devi Lamichhane Wasti, joint secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, Pokharel is a senior advocate, while Paudel and Thapa were serving as chief judges of the Janakpur and Dipayal High Courts, respectively.

Article 292 of the Constitution requires the chief justice, justices, and nominees to constitutional bodies and diplomatic posts to undergo parliamentary hearings before taking office.

Addressing the oath ceremony, Chief Justice Raut expressed confidence that the newly appointed justices would work diligently to uphold public trust in the judiciary. He said the Supreme Court remains committed to strengthening confidence in Nepal’s justice system.

Earlier, the committee had advised Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya to ensure inclusivity in appointments to the judiciary and constitutional commissions. Chaurasiya had assured the government would act on the committee’s suggestions.