Shrestha was administered the official oath by President Ram Baran Yadav amid a special function at the president's office in Sheetal Niwas.

Talking to reporters after assuming the office, Shrestha said he will accord top priority to the appointment of justices in view of the growing number of legal cases. "The files of legal cases are piling up. But there are few justices to look into them. So my first priority will be to appoint judges to cope with the growing number of cases," Shrestha said.

He also assured that the appointment of judges will be free from any political interference.

Describing the judiciary as an independent state organ, Shrestha urged everyone to let it function freely without imposing any foreign pressure. "I urge everyone to keep judiciary free from politics," he said.

Based on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, a parliamentary hearing special committee had approved Shrestha’s name as the CJ on June 29. He will remain in the position for the next nine months.