Government Forms Asset Probe Commission to Investigate Former Officials

The government has formed a commission to investigate the assets of former high-ranking officials and political party leaders.

A Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday decided to form the Asset Investigation Commission under the leadership of former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari.

The commission includes former judges Chandiraj Dhakal and Purushottam Parajuli, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Ganesh KC, and chartered accountant Prakash Lamsal as members.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Education, Sasmit Pokharel, announced that the commission has been tasked with collecting, verifying, and investigating the asset details of major political figures and high-ranking officials who have held public office from 2062/63 BS to the present.

The Cabinet also decided to accept a grant of 1 million Swiss Francs from the Government of Switzerland for the investigation of disappeared persons, truth-seeking, and reconciliation efforts.

Additionally, decisions were made to assign excise officer responsibilities to various staff under the Inland Revenue Department based on their roles, and to approve the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2082.

The National Standards for Organization and Management Survey, 2082, were also approved. Furthermore, the government decided to table an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between the Government of Nepal and the Government of India in the House of Representatives for information.

Similarly, another committee has been formed under former High Court Judge Prem Raj Karki to study the security mechanism for implementing the investigation report on the incidents that occurred on Bhadra 23 and 24, 2082. The committee includes former Additional Inspectors General Subodh Adhikari of the Armed Police Force and Tek Prasad Rai of Nepal Police.

The government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah had earlier decided to form such a commission as part of governance reforms aimed at controlling corruption and ending impunity.

The government stated that the commission will conduct impartial investigations based on legal standards and evidence, and its findings and recommendations will be implemented through relevant authorities.