Govt forms commission to probe officials' property holdings

KATHMANDU: The government has formed a four-member commission to investigate the property holdings of political leaders and high-level government officials over the past 20 years.

The Cabinet today decided the panel will be coordinated by former Supreme Court judge Rajendra Kumar Bhandari. The commission is tasked with collecting details on assets held by public officials — both politicians and senior bureaucrats — and launching investigations where warranted.

Members of the commission include former judges Chandiraj Dhakal and Purushottam Parajuli, former Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police Ganesh KC, and chartered accountant Prakash Lamsal. The probe will cover the period from 2005/06 to 2025/26.

The move follows a March 27 decision by the government formed under Prime Minister Balendra Shah, which had pledged to set up a probe commission within two weeks. The initiative is also reflected in item 43 of the administration’s 100-point governance reform plan, which called for a high-powered panel under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) to investigate the propriety of senior public officials as part of efforts to end impunity and curb corruption.

According to the Cabinet decision, investigations by the commission will be conducted based on legal criteria and available evidence. The panel’s findings and recommendations will be forwarded to the relevant authorities for enforcement.

(With input from RSS)