Newly-elected Speaker Sapkota takes oath of office and secrecy

KATHMANDU, Jan 27: The newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives Agni Sapkota has taken the oath of office and secrecy on Monday.

Sapkota took the oath from President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the office of the President in Sital Niwas amid a ceremony.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Sapkota assumed his office at the federal parliament building today itself.

Sapkota, a leader of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, was elected unopposed as the Speaker on Sunday amid objection from human rights activists and civil society.

Sapkota has been facing allegation for his alleged involvement in the abduction and murder of Arjun Lama in Kavrapalchowk in 2005.

A constitutional bench was due to conduct a hearing on a writ petition, filed against him by senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi challenging Sapkota’s candidacy, prior to the Speaker’s election. 

In the petition, Tripathi had sought Sapkota’s arrest and prosecution in connection with the murder. 

However, the Supreme Court deferred the hearing arguing that justice Hari Prasad Phyual, who was scheduled to hear the case, had previously advocated in a case against Sapkota.

Now, the hearing on the case has been given to justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, according to the apex court sources.

The bench is expected to decide if his case will be tried in a regular court or transitional justice mechanisms.

Photos: RSS