Asset Investigation Commission Granted Authority to Probe Properties of Former Prime Ministers, Judges, Diplomats, and Security Officials

The Asset Investigation Commission established by the government has been granted the authority to investigate the properties of senior political office holders and officials who have been in power since the Vikram Samvat year 2062/63, including former judges and senior military officers. According to a notice published in the Gazette, upon receiving complaints, the commission may submit written requests to relevant agencies to investigate serving military officers, sitting judges, and other officials beyond its immediate jurisdiction. Following Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s assumption of office earlier this month, a five-member commission was formed under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari.

Initially, the commission has been empowered for a one-year term to collect, verify, and examine the assets of officials in office from fiscal year 2062/2063 to the end of Chaitra month 2082/83. In a subsequent phase, it is also tasked with investigating the assets of senior officials from Vikram Samvat 2048 to fiscal year 2061/2062. The commission holds jurisdiction over high-ranking officials across all three branches: the executive, judiciary, and legislature.

The commission is actively investigating the assets of Prime Ministers, Ministers, State Ministers, and Assistant Ministers from both the current Government of Nepal and the former Rana regime. Additionally, officials appointed under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal (2047), the Interim Constitution (2064), and the current Constitution, including heads and staff of constitutional bodies and former judges, fall within the scope of the investigation. The commission also has authority to probe the assets of the Governor, directors, Deputy Governors, Executive Directors, and first-class gazetted or higher-level officials of Nepal Rastra Bank.

The commission is empowered to refer cases to the federal government if, during its investigations, it finds evidence that an official or employee has acquired assets unlawfully. This includes undisclosed property details warranting further inquiry and potential action by the relevant agencies. The notification emphasizes that the commission must operate independently, impartially, and professionally, without succumbing to any pressure or influence.