Attention of this office has been drawn to the news reports published/broadcasted in various media about the newly appointed Honourable Attorney General was not sworn in at the President’s Office.
Clause 21 of Section 5 of the Remuneration, Conditions of Service and Facilities of the Attorney General Act, 1996 specifies that the Attorney General must take the oath of office and secrecy before the Right Honourable Chief Justice before assuming office.
In the past, the swearing-in of the office bearers of the constitutional organs including the Attorney General had been taking place in the presence of the Right Honourable President. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Office of the President wrote a letter on 18 April 2021 to the Supreme Court for arranging the swearing-in of the office bearers to be administered by the Right Honourable Chief Justice at the Court except for the ones categorically mentioned to be done in the presence of the Right Honourable President.
Therefore, this note has been released for the kind information for all concerned that the swearing-in of the office bearers of constitutional organs appointed after the said date has regularly been administered by the officials of the concerned bodies except for provisions that specify an oath to be taken in the presence of the Right Honourable President.
16 July 2021
Keshav Prasad Ghimire
Deputy Spokesperson