KATHMANDU: Two separate petitions were lodged at the Supreme Court today, accusing the chairman and commissioners of the National Human Rights Commission of nepotism while filling 76 permanent posts in the NHRC.

The petitioners have sought the apex court intervention to stop the NHRC’s move to appoint officials in an unconstitutional way.

The NHRC had recently issued a public notice demanding applications from eligible candidates for the posts through internal competition. It had set two-year work experience as eligibility criteria for the candidates.

The constitutional body has been trying to appoint two directors as first class gazetted officials, eight deputy directors as second class gazetted officials and 44 third class gazetted officials for the permanent posts in the NHRC.

It had also announced vacancies for five accountants and 17 assistants without the consent of the Public Service Commission, the constitutional body which has the authority to appoint officials for government offices.

Advocate Mina Khadka, a candidate for open competition, and advocates Binod Phuyal and Lokdhoj Thapa registered separate petitions, seeking the apex court intervention to stop the arbitrary move of the constitutional rights body.