KATHMANDU, April 1: A newly formed high-level Asset Investigation Commission has been handed sweeping powers to probe the wealth of around 10,000 individuals—bringing former Supreme Court justices and former chiefs of the Nepali Army under scrutiny for the first time.
The commission’s jurisdiction, outlined in a Nepal Gazette notice published on Thursday, casts a wide net. Civil servants, political appointees, prime ministers, ministers, lawmakers, local government heads and their deputies, as well as their personal secretaries, are all set to come under the scanner.
Officials say the number could go even higher. “More than 10,000 individuals are likely to fall under the investigation, but the exact number cannot be determined at this stage,” a commission official said.
Formed on April 15 under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1969, the body is mandated to investigate assets of former officials, including those who served as office chiefs at the level of non-gazetted first class officer (nayab subba) or equivalent.
In its first phase, the commission will focus on assets of army chiefs and generals, as well as chief justices and Supreme Court justices who have served since 2006. However, serving officials—including incumbent judges and Nepali Army personnel—are not immediately within its direct investigation scope. Any complaints against them will be forwarded to the relevant authorities.
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Commission Spokesperson Ganesh KC said preparations are in the final stage. “The government has already defined our scope of work. We will begin operations within a few days,” he said.
The Cabinet constituted the commission under the leadership of former Supreme Court justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari. Its members include former justices Purushottam Parajuli and Chandiraj Dhakal, former Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police Ganesh KC, and chartered accountant Prakash Lamsal. The government has also published the commission’s Terms of Reference (ToR) in the Gazette.
The ToR significantly broadens the scope of scrutiny. It brings even mid-level former officials—those who served as office chiefs at the level of nayab subba—under investigation. While earlier provisions focused mainly on the civil service, the revised mandate now includes parliamentary, health, and human rights services as well.
The commission has been authorized to issue public notices to invite complaints and conduct investigations. Complainants must provide their address and contact details, although their identities will be kept confidential.
The commission has a one-year mandate from the date it begins work. “A one-year term has been fixed,” KC said.
After completing investigations, the commission will submit reports with recommendations to the government, which is required to initiate necessary action within 45 days. Upon concluding its work, the commission will submit a final report through the chief secretary.
The government retains the authority to dissolve the commission at any time. In such cases—or upon completion of its tenure—the commission must hand over all records to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority.
The commission’s chairperson will receive benefits equivalent to a state minister, while members will receive perks on par with assistant ministers.
KC said groundwork is already underway. Staffing structures are being finalized, physical infrastructure is being arranged, and procedural discussions are ongoing. “We are in the initial phase. We are preparing all necessary processes and aim to begin work as soon as possible,” he said, adding that public notices, information collection, and manpower mobilization will follow.
The commission’s reach extends across a vast spectrum of current and former office bearers. It includes prime ministers, deputy prime ministers, ministers, state and assistant ministers who served under the then His Majesty’s Government and the present government of Nepal, as well as members of past parliaments and the Constituent Assembly. It also covers officials of constitutional bodies appointed under the 1990 Constitution, the 2007 Interim Constitution, and the 2015 Constitution who have since left office.
Its jurisdiction further includes former justices, retired senior Nepali Army officers of gazetted first class or above, provincial chiefs, chief ministers, ministers, and members of provincial assemblies. Officials from former District Development Committees and current District Coordination Committees, along with local government heads and deputies, are also within its ambit.
Similarly, senior officials from Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions, as well as top-ranking personnel from the civil service, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and National Investigation Department, fall under the probe. This also extends to second-class gazetted officials who have served as office heads, along with their equivalents in security agencies.
According to the Gazette, the commission’s scope also covers the governor and senior officials of Nepal Rastra Bank, officials of government-owned and partially state-owned banks and financial institutions, and leadership positions in commissions, boards, authorities, public enterprises, and state-funded institutions, including universities.
In addition, advisers, personal secretaries, and aides—whether paid or unpaid—appointed by high-ranking officials such as the President, vice president, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, speaker, national assembly chair, ministers, and constitutional office bearers will also fall under the asset investigation ambit.
