Nepali Congress Questions Legitimacy and Autonomy of Property Investigation Commission

Kathmandu. The Nepali Congress has raised questions regarding the legitimacy and autonomy of the commission formed to investigate the assets of individuals holding high-level public office.

The party's Central Working Committee, which met at the Sanepa central office on Wednesday and Thursday, challenged the commission's validity. While the government mentioned in its governance reform agenda that asset investigations would be conducted through legal provisions, the Congress expressed objection to the commission being formed solely through a Cabinet decision.

“The government is moving forward without enacting laws, contradicting its own declarations,” the Congress stated. “Placing such a commission under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers is inappropriate. It increases executive interference and raises questions about impartiality.”

 The meeting concluded that the commission must be independent and free from executive control.

The Congress recalled that it has consistently advocated for the investigation of assets of individuals in public office since the year 2048 B.S., the nationalization of illegal assets, and the investigation of corruption cases from 2046 to 2082 B.S. While welcoming the government's move to initiate the asset investigation process, the Congress urged the expansion of the investigation scope to include the period before 2062 B.S.

The Congress maintains that to avoid controversy and achieve expected results, the commission must be made fully autonomous and independent. The party also commented on questions raised regarding the asset details disclosed by the Prime Minister and ministers. The Congress stated that while disclosing assets is a legal duty, it is the moral responsibility of the individuals concerned to answer questions regarding the legitimate source of assets held before assuming public office and tax-related matters.

“It is the moral responsibility of the Prime Minister and ministers to provide clear and legal answers to doubts raised regarding the source of assets and taxes,” the statement issued after the meeting noted. Reaffirming its commitment to a corruption-free society and good governance, the Congress emphasized that the government's investigation activities must be transparent and free from bias or prejudice.