Asset Investigation Ordered for Public Officials from Prime Minister to Under-Secretary Level

The government has mandated a five-member Asset Investigation Commission to examine the assets of public officials ranging from the incumbent Prime Minister to the Under-Secretary level. The commission will collect and verify asset details of public officials from mid-Chaitra 2082 BS to the fiscal year 2062/63 BS. Within 30 days, it will call for allegations against individuals suspected of illegally acquired wealth and conduct confidential investigations.

18 Baishakh, Kathmandu – The government has issued a directive allowing the Asset Investigation Commission to probe the assets of public officials from the current Prime Minister to those holding the rank of Under-Secretary or equivalent. The directive for the commission, formed two weeks ago, was published in the official gazette on Thursday. Notably, the commission’s authority excludes sitting judges and officers of the Nepali Army.

The scope of the investigation does not include sitting or former Presidents and Vice Presidents. However, officials within their secretariats fall under the commission’s jurisdiction. The commission will collect detailed information on assets held domestically and abroad by serving or retired public officials and their families and conduct an inquiry accordingly.

The five-member commission is chaired by former Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari. Members include former Chief Justice of the Appellate Court Purushottam Parajuli, former High Court Justice Chandiraj Dhakal, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Ganesh KC, and Chartered Accountant Prakash Lamsal. The commission’s mandate extends from the then Prime Minister down to Assistant Ministers and includes asset verification of all members of the Constituent Assembly.