Nepal's Property Investigation Commission Officially Begins Operations

Kathmandu. The 'Property Investigation Commission,' formed by the government with the objective of ending widespread corruption and impunity in the country, has officially commenced its work today.

The Council of Ministers meeting on 2083 Baishakh 2 had formed a five-member commission under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari.

The commission's office has been established at Kesharmahal. Newly appointed Chairman Bhandari took the oath of office and secrecy today before Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla.

Chairman Bhandari administered the oath to other members: former Chief Judge of the then Appellate Court Purushottam Parajuli, former High Court Judge Chandiraj Dhakal, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Ganesh KC, and Chartered Accountant Prakash Lamsal.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for this commission, which is tasked with performing its duties under the Commission of Inquiry Act 2026, have already been approved.

With a tenure of one year, this commission will collect and thoroughly investigate the property details of individuals currently holding public office, those who have retired, or those who have left office, as well as their families, both within the country and abroad.

How does the property investigation commission that spans three generations work?

The commission is required to submit a report to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers as soon as an investigation into any individual is completed, which the government must mandatorily implement within 45 days.

The commission has pledged to work in a completely independent, impartial, and professional manner, fulfilling its responsibilities without succumbing to any pressure or influence. The commission will collect complaints through written, oral, electronic, social media, or any other means.

While there is a provision for the commission to seek advice from experts in various fields as needed during its operations, a strict condition has been set that experts with conflicts of interest cannot be invited.

The formation of this commission is in accordance with the anti-corruption commitment mentioned in point number 43 of the '100-point agenda for governance reform' approved by the Council of Ministers meeting on 2082 Chaitra 13. Currently, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers is screening 32 employees required for the commission.

To ensure transparency in the commission's work, a provision has been made requiring the assigned staff to publicly disclose their property details within one week of assuming their duties.