Nepal Forms Commission to Scrutinize Officials' Assets

The Nepal government on Wednesday announced the formation of a commission tasked with investigating the assets of public office holders, including political leaders and senior civil servants, from 2006 onwards.

The decision, made during a Cabinet meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister, was confirmed by government spokesperson and Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmit Pokharel. The five-member Property Investigation Commission will be headed by former Supreme Court justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari.

Comprising former justices Chandi Raj Dhakal and Purushottam Parajuli, former Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police Ganesh KC, and chartered accountant Prakash Lamsal, the commission will scrutinize asset declarations made by major political office-bearers and high-ranking officials. This fulfills a commitment by Prime Minister Balendra Shah's government, addressing public concerns over corruption and unexplained wealth among officials.