Rana sworn in as 29th Chief Justice of Nepal

KATHMANDU, Jan 2: Justice Cholendra Sumsher Rana has been sworn in as the 29^th chief justice of the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to Justice Rana at a special ceremony held at the President's Office at 11 am.

The function was attended by top dignitaries including Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, cabinet ministers, high-ranking government officials, chiefs from the security agencies and leaders from the major political parties among others.

Rana, 61, is assuming his office at the Supreme Court later today. On Tuesday, the Parliamentary Hearing Committee (PHC) endorsed Rana as the chief justice of the apex court.

He is likely to serve as the chief justice for the next four years. Rana was serving as justice of the Supreme Court for the past four years.

Chief justice Om Prakash Mishra, 65, retired from Thursday on the ground of age.

Rana is the first apex court justice to be appointed chief justice without being seniormost justice. After the PHC in August rejected seniormost justice Deepak Raj Joshee for chief justice, the Constitutional Council last month recommended Rana for chief justice.